Part of the hearing aid—called the ear mold— is custom fitted to your baby's ear. Babies need frequent ear molds taken, because their little ears grow so fast.

While this becomes routine for families with deaf babies, we didn't know what to expect the first time!

Here are some tips and tricks we've learned to soar through the visit.

1 ~ Build Enthusiasm

Anticipating an event is 90% of it!

We try to reframe it from "we have to get molds taken" to "we get to have molds taken." 

The morning of the appointment, explain what's going to happen. We say something like: "We're going to see a doctor friend today! Dr. ___ wants to see you! She's going to put something in your ears!" 

Even if the baby can't understand the words, she gleans that something special is happening.

(And, really, making ear molds is cool. If you showed it to a bunch of third graders, they'd sign up!)

2 ~ Stay Calm and Positive

The easiest way to keep the baby calm is to keep ourselves calm. And there's no reason to worry! 

Basically, what happens (according to the layman observer) is:

• the doctor gently places a Styrofoam circle on a string into the baby's ear (to prevent the foam from going into the ear canal)
• the doctor slowly squirts foam into the baby's ear, like icing a cookie,
• the foam takes a minute to harden
• The doctor takes the foam out and, voila, a mold of your baby's cute little ear.

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The doctors have assured us that it might feel a little funny, but it doesn't hurt. And, it's over quickly.

We do sometimes discuss the "heavy" stuff with the audiologist at these appointments. But, we try to balance it with happy things.

Color options are also a great way to turn a heavier conversation back to something fun. Did you know ear molds come in colors, sparkles, and designs? 

3 ~ Help Baby Get Acclimated

Doctor's offices are interesting places to babies! While you chat with the doctor, let the baby look around.

That makes it less likely he'll whip his head around during the actual mold taking.

4 ~ Bring a Distraction (or Three)

To get a good mold, baby should be still until the foam hardens. Using a few interesting toys and books helps.

5 ~ Celebrate!

You did it! Hooray! 

Pause outside the doctor's office to take a moment with your baby. We use this moment to praise her bravery and friendliness, and talk about how funny and interesting it was.

Celebration builds positive associations. That's helpful for the (many) future appointments.

And when the molds come in, we hope you love them!

Next Up: Why We Go Colorful and Baby's First Hearing Aids!