I was looking at some statistics about children with hearing loss and one of them really got my attention.
About 2 to 3 out of every 1,000 children in the United States are born with hearing loss in one or both ears. More than 90% of deaf children are born to hearing parents.
Think about that for a minute.
Thousands of parents every year find out their baby has hearing loss. For many of them, this is probably a world they knew very little about before their child was born.
Then come the hearing tests, audiologist appointments, hearing aids, cochlear implants, and a whole lot of questions.
I obviously did not start EarFree thinking about any of this.
I started it because I wear a cochlear implant and had a problem I wanted to solve.
I wanted to wear a hat without having it interfere with my processor. I also wanted to be able to hear when I was outside in the wind. These were problems I dealt with myself, so I started making things that worked for me.
Over time, that turned into helping other cochlear implant wearers too.
What I did not expect
What I did not expect was how much it would mean to me when I started helping children.
A kid wearing a cochlear implant should be able to put on a hat and go outside and play just like any other kid. They should not have to worry about their processor getting knocked around or squeezed against their head. Their parents should not have to constantly adjust everything either.
These might seem like little things to someone who does not live with a cochlear implant, but they are not little when you are dealing with them every day.
Obviously, I am not going to help 34 million kids.
But I can help some of them.
One less thing to deal with
At almost 72 years old, that means a lot more to me than selling another hat or headband.
When a parent tells me something I made worked for their child, I know there is a real kid somewhere wearing something I came up with because of problems I had with my own cochlear implant.
Maybe they are wearing it to school. Maybe they are outside playing. Maybe Mom or Dad finally found something that works and it is one less thing they have to deal with.
That is pretty damn satisfying.
EarFree started because I was trying to make my own life a little easier.
Five years later, knowing that something I created can make life a little easier for a child with a cochlear implant is probably the part I am most proud of.
Tom Ross
Founder, EarFree LLC
Cochlear implant wearer
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Shop Kids’ HeadwearFrequently asked questions
Does EarFree make products for children with cochlear implants?
Yes. EarFree offers kids hats and headbands for compatible behind-the-ear cochlear implant processors. Each product page explains its recommended age range and fit details.
How do I choose a hat or headband for my child?
Start with your child’s processor style, whether they wear one or two processors, and the moments when they need support most. Check the product’s fit details and exclusions before choosing.
Are EarFree products medical devices?
No. EarFree products are everyday headwear. For device care, pain, sports, water exposure, or any clinical concern, follow guidance from your child’s audiologist, implant team, and processor manufacturer.
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Cochlear Implant Accessories: A Practical Guide
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Getting a Cochlear Implant Changed My Life: Things I Never Thought About
Tom Ross shares the everyday surprises that came with wearing a cochlear implant, and how they led him to start EarFree.