FIRST STEPS
Parents are most often the first to suspect that their child has a hearing loss. If you have concern about your child’s hearing ability, it is very important to take action right away. Early intervention can have a very positive impact on your child’s future. A simple, painless hearing test can confirm or dispel your suspicious, and modern technology can provide comfortable, effective amplification.
But one of the most important things, to remember is to continue to play, sing and talk with your child. This loving attention is vital for all children, with or without hearing loss.
These are some first steps you can take when you begin to suspect that your child has hearing difficulties.
• Continue to play, sing and talk with your child.
As with all children, positive human contact is essential for emotional growth and well-being. A hearing-impaired child has perhaps an even greater need for close one-on-one contact to lay the groundwork for communication.
• Looks at your child when addressing him or her.
Your lips, facial expressions and body movements hold important information.
• Speak in a clear audible voice without shouting.
Raising your voice too much can distort the sound of your voice making it more difficult to understand.
• Make sure that there is adequate lighting when speaking to your child, so the child can see your face clearly.
• Have your child’s hearing evaluated by an Audiologist that is experienced in the specific considerations of paediatric audiology and hearing aid fitting.
• Have your child fitted with hearing aids as soon as possible to make maximum use of all hearing possibilities. The earlier a child receives the benefit of amplification, the better their chances are for developing good communication skills.
• Find the resources in your area. Your family is absolutely not alone in caring for a child with a hearing impairment. Many cities have organisations for hearing impaired people and their families which can offer support and advice, and libraries and bookstores have books which can be helpful.
As with all children, positive human contact is essential for emotional growth and well-being. A hearing-impaired child has perhaps an even greater need for close one-on-one contact to lay the groundwork for communication.
• Looks at your child when addressing him or her.
Your lips, facial expressions and body movements hold important information.
• Speak in a clear audible voice without shouting.
Raising your voice too much can distort the sound of your voice making it more difficult to understand.
• Make sure that there is adequate lighting when speaking to your child, so the child can see your face clearly.
• Have your child’s hearing evaluated by an Audiologist that is experienced in the specific considerations of paediatric audiology and hearing aid fitting.
• Have your child fitted with hearing aids as soon as possible to make maximum use of all hearing possibilities. The earlier a child receives the benefit of amplification, the better their chances are for developing good communication skills.
• Find the resources in your area. Your family is absolutely not alone in caring for a child with a hearing impairment. Many cities have organisations for hearing impaired people and their families which can offer support and advice, and libraries and bookstores have books which can be helpful.
