Learning that your child has a hearing impairment can be difficult news for any parent. However, with the right support, strategies, and access to resources, parents and caregivers can help their hearing-impaired child thrive. This article provides an overview of tips and approaches for raising a hearing-impaired child from infancy through the school-age years.
Getting Diagnosed and Seeking Support
The first step after diagnosis is connecting with professionals and services that can provide guidance on next steps. Ask your child’s doctor for referrals to a pediatric audiologist who can fully assess your child’s level of hearing and determine if hearing aids or other devices may help. A speech-language pathologist can also evaluate your child’s speech and language skills.
It’s also vital to contact early intervention services for infants and toddlers, such as Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). These programs provide therapies and support to help hearing-impaired children develop communication skills from an early age. Joining a support group can also connect parents with others who understand the joys and challenges of raising a deaf or hard of hearing child.
Local family support organizations may offer sign language classes, playgroups, parenting workshops, and deaf mentoring programs. Online groups can also provide a wealth of information and advice from experienced parents navigating similar challenges. Remember, you are not alone on this journey.
Developing Communication Skills
Work closely with your child’s speech-language pathologist, audiologist, and teachers of the deaf to determine the best approaches to help your child learn to communicate. For many hearing-impaired children, mastering sign language as a first language is recommended, followed by learning spoken language. Some children may also benefit from Cued Speech, which uses hand shapes and positions around the face to represent sounds.
Always communicate with your child in whatever way works best for them – sign language, speech reading, gestures, vocalizing, hearing aids, or a combination. Focus on building vocabulary and concept development from an early age through everyday conversations, shared reading time, and language-rich activities. Be sure to expose your child to other children and adults who can interact with them in sign language if needed.
It is ideal to introduce sign language as early as possible, even starting in infancy. Using signs can help children communicate basic wants and needs well before they develop verbal skills. However, if sign language is new for your family, don’t worry – children can learn signing at any age. Consider taking a sign language class yourself to model signs and facilitate two-way communication.
Making the Most of Hearing Aids and Devices
Today’s digital hearing aids and devices, such as FM systems used in classrooms, can greatly benefit many hearing-impaired children. If your child is a candidate for technology that can improve access to sounds and speech, be sure it is optimally fitted and worn consistently during all waking hours. Work with your audiologist regularly to ensure devices are adjusted as your child’s hearing needs change.
It also helps to advocate for your child to use assistive listening devices in school and extracurricular settings. Parents and teachers should monitor hearing aids and FM systems daily and teach children how to listen, pay attention, and self-monitor with their devices on. Maintaining and troubleshooting equipment will be an ongoing process.
Give your child opportunities to practice listening skills at home too. Play sound games that highlight environmental noises and the sounds of spoken language. Use noisemakers, music, clapping games, and singing to make listening fun while training your child’s hearing brain pathways. Auditory practice along with visual cues boosts speech and language development.
Choosing a Communication Approach for School
One major decision parents will face is choosing an educational model for a hearing-impaired child – schools that emphasize sign language, verbal language, or total communication. Factors include your child’s level of hearing, language and listening skills, cognitive abilities, and parent preferences. Many options exist, including schools solely for deaf students, mainstream inclusion models, and online virtual academies.
The individual strengths and needs of the child should guide placement in the least restrictive appropriate environment. Visit a variety of schools, learn about approaches and curriculum, and determine if your child would benefit most from smaller specialized classes or a blended setting. Having access to sign language interpreters, note takers, and speech therapy is vital.
Mainstream programs can encourage inclusion with hearing peers when sufficient support is provided. Specialized deaf schools offer targeted services while building a sense of cultural belonging. Some parents opt for a middle road, such as a self-contained deaf classroom within a hearing school. Your child may also transition between models as their needs evolve.
Building Social Connections and Self-Esteem
Hearing loss can sometimes isolate children and impact social development. Enrich your child’s life through live or online deaf communities, events, and friendships. Shared experiences help deaf and hard of hearing youth form their identity and feel secure.
Promote self-esteem by focusing on their abilities, highlighting accomplished deaf role models, and reaching out to deaf mentors. Accommodate your child’s needs without limiting activities – equip them to follow their passions and interests in sports, hobbies, and other recreation. With support, hearing-impaired youth can gain confidence navigating the mainstream hearing world.
It is also important for families with hearing children to learn basic sign language skills. Siblings, relatives, and friends should be encouraged to communicate directly with the deaf or hard of hearing child. Positive peer interactions will encourage healthy social-emotional growth. Playdates, family events, and group activities present opportunities for inclusion.
Caring for the Whole Child
Don’t let hearing impairment define your child – see them for their whole unique being and abilities. Provide the same love, guidance, boundaries, and life experiences you would give any child, while tailoring communication and support to fit their needs. Value their perspectives, teach self-advocacy skills, and grant them increasing independence appropriate to their maturity.
Your child needs you to be their parent, protector, cheerleader, and advocate as they journey to adulthood. Become knowledgeable about deaf culture and identity. Connect over interests and activities your child enjoys as you nurture all aspects of their health, learning, safety, relationships, and happiness. With your loving care and understanding, they will thrive.
Remember, your child’s hearing status does not limit their potential. With early and ongoing intervention, determination, and encouragement, deaf children can achieve academically, socially, and throughout their lives. Trust your instincts, don’t be afraid to try different approaches, and work as a team with professionals and your child to facilitate success. You’ve got this!