[Treatment and rehabilitation in juvenile hearing disorders]

The early fitting of a hearing aid to a child with a proven hearing disorder is decisive for the further development of the child. Depending upon the age of the child, the fitting of a hearing aid requires a variety of strategies, and differs considerably from aid fitting in adulthood. It is more difficult, requires more time, and needs a lot of patience and experience. The individual steps and procedures for fitting an aid are described, and the possibilities of rehabilitation of a child with such a hearing impairment are discussed. Apart from the optimal provision of a hearing aid, the child requires intensive early and long-term aftercare to ensure normal speech and normal development.