Main Theme: Otology
Introduction: Consistent auditory stimulation is essential for speech and language development. Non surgical bone conduction hearing aids (NSBCHAs) are widely used in paediatric patients with conductive or unilateral hearing loss, yet reasons for device rejection in children remain poorly described.
Methods: Retrospective review of paediatric patients referred for NSBCHAs assessment at a tertiary children’s hospital. Demographic, audiological, and clinical data were analysed, including hearing loss characteristics, devices trialled, and documented reasons for rejection.
Results: Of 371 referred children, 10 (2.7%) declined amplification. The median age was 9 years (range 3–17). All had conductive hearing loss. The most common diagnosis was microtia with atresia. Rejections were predominantly child led with reasons including discomfort, intolerance of background noise, unnatural sound quality, and physical irritation.
Conclusion: NSBCHAs rejection in paediatric is uncommon. Children with unilateral hearing loss were more likely to reject. Understanding reasons for refusal may improve optimisation of hearing rehabilitation strategies.