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Best Musical Instrument Sets for Kids with Hearing Loss (Toy Sets + Starter Instruments)
For hard-of-hearing kids, music-making builds confidence with sound. These are the instrument sets we love.
Why Musical Play Matters for Hard of Hearing Children
Music helps kids with hearing loss better understand sound and language. Baby instruments nourish their natural love of music, and build confidence around sound.
We want to give our daughter plenty of opportunities to explore music through play. Every time a hard of hearing child plays an instrument, she builds awareness of sound—learning they can create it, control it, and respond to it.
This is one of the reasons we've leaned towards non-electronic toys and instruments. The sound is richer, more natural, and responds directly to how the child plays it. Bang harder, it's louder. Tap softer, it whispers. This cause-and-effect relationship between action and sound is what we want our daughter to build intuitions around.
Below are some sets and instruments we've used and loved, plus some new finds you may be interested in.
Musical Instrument Sets for Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers
Manhattan Toy Musical Diego Dino
We received a musical chicken from Manhattan Toy as a gift. We love it! There's a cymbal, xylophone, clapping wings, and a maracas tail.
Diego Dino, features a 5-bar metal xylophone, a wooden mallet, removable maraca tail, and more!
We received Diego's sister toy, Musical Chicken, as a gift, a few years back. Like Diego Dino, it featured a variety of instruments and the sounds were loud and clear.
Ages 12+ months
Melissa & Doug Band in a Box Clap! Clang! Tap!
This instrument set from Melissa & Doug looks like a great value.
Ages 3+
Hape Stacking Music Set
This wooden stacking set from Hape looks like lots of fun. Un-stack each block to discover a unique instrument—drum, xylophone, rattle, scratch board, and mini-gong.
Ages 18m - 3 years
Starter Instruments for Bigger Kids
FAO Schwarz 8 in 1 Instrument Set
We got this set to use as a family. When our baby first got her hearing aids, we played the instruments for her. The bells and chimes have an especially gorgeous sound.
Now that she's older and wants to participate, we have put most of the instruments away. But, we're excited for when she gets a bit older and can use all of them herself!
This would be a nice set for any family, or for an older child.
Ages 3+
$60 at faoschwarz.com (out of stock)
8 Note Handbells
Handbells are a fun way for the whole family to join in! We use ours at Christmas.
Pair it with an I Can Play That song book for easy to follow guides—in Standard and Christmas.
MEINL Turbo Cabasa
Hohner Kids Cymbals with Mallet
Conductor's Baton
Tambourine
Wood Block
Bonus — More Musical Instruments From One of Our Favorite Shops
One of our favorite shops—Bella Luna Toys—features an eclectic collection of musical instruments for children. They feature Haba's Wooden Egg Rattles, great for an Easter basket or any other day of the year!
