What Is a Hearing Aid Bonnet?

A hearing aid bonnet, also called a pilot cap, is a soft fabric hat designed to keep hearing aids securely on a baby or toddler's head. Unlike headbands, which can slip or be pulled off easily, a bonnet ties or fastens under the chin. It holds hearing aids in place even during active play.

For babies and young toddlers, keeping hearing aids on is one of the first real challenges hearing loss parents face. The devices are small, ears are tiny, and those little hands are so good at removing them! A well-fitted bonnet solves this gently and without fuss.

And they're oh so adorable!

Emmifaye is one of our favorite bonnet makers. They're a small shop creating beautifully made pilot caps in prints and styles you'd love to put on your baby. Right now we love their blue dog print mesh pilot cap, the pink blue ruffle hat with ties for a classic look, and the pink flower ruffle baby pilot hat for something a little more special. Stock rotates, so grab what you love when you see it.

Choosing a Retention Method

When our baby got her hearing aids, our team informed us of the retention options:

• headbands,
• wig tape,
• bonnets a/k/a pilot caps,

and encouraged us to try them out.

Suddenly, we found ourselves faced with the need to balance our mainstream parental choking hazard precautions against ensuring our baby has access to sound.

First, we tried headbands. They were stylish and adorable. Great for photos. And other parents seem to make this work.

But, every time we turned our back, the headband was around her neck, and the hearing aids were off.  

After a few very stressful days, we were getting desperate. We needed a long-term solution.

Enter: The Bonnet a/k/a Pilot Cap!

Hearing aid bonnets were our game changer.

They kept her hearing aids on all day. All day! (We do appreciate that our baby took to them so easily, and know that's not always the case.)

No more dread when leaving the room. No more worrying about her access to sound. (Until she figures out how to Houdini them, of course.)

And, as she's grown, she can play uninterrupted, because we're not pausing things to put her hearing aids back on.

Plus, we love the “vintage baby” cuteness factor.  We totally get why baby bonnets were once the norm.

Do They Make Her Stand Out?

We were initially concerned that the bonnets might draw strangers' attention in a negative way.

But, we've time-tested it at busy city playgrounds for about 10 months, and we've never had a negative encounter.

It's really been the opposite, with children and adults commenting on how much they like her bonnet! 

That's provided an opportunity to mention her hearing aids which sometimes we take, and sometimes not.

We like that it's become her "signature look." It actually helps people remember her in a friendly way.

We like that it's become her "signature look." It actually helps people remember her in a friendly way.

The truth is, no matter what retention method, a baby wearing hearing aids is notable and memorable. And there are so many advantages to that! 

People we met in passing quickly recognize her, smile and say "hi" when we cross paths again!

Check out our favorite brands here!

And here's our guide to animal-themed hearing aid bonnets!