Reaching Out to Your Hearing-Impaired Child

Today, more than 12,000 children in Australia and New Zealand have been diagnosed with a significant hearing impairment, and there’s little doubt that being a parent to a deaf child is quite a challenge and there are a number of important decisions that you will have to make.

Fortunately, there are a number of resources and support networks available to parents who are looking to reach out to their hearing-impaired child. Whether your child has lost all or part of his or her hearing, you will want to provide a supportive and nurturing environment to encourage communication and interaction between all members of the household.

Offer visual stimulation

If your infant has been identified with a hearing impairment, as a parent, you will want to provide a nurturing and instructive environment that your child can learn from and interact with. Visual stimulation is important, as is more direct physical contact to prompt your child to become more aware of his or her surroundings. Encourage other caregivers and family members to provide the same.

Learn sign language

Learning sign language is an easy way to open the doorways of communication between you and your child. Australian Sign Language (AUSLAN) has become more than just a way for individuals to communicate. It’s an adhesive element within the deaf community and with their loved ones. Encouraging your family to learn AUSLAN is a way to ensure your child feels included and offers a nurturing environment that everyone can be a part of.

Education and information

As your child gets older, you may find it useful to seek out instructors that specialise in educating hearing impaired children or at least have experience in working with deaf children. Research and information will help parents of hearing impaired children gain a better understanding for the type of hearing loss that affects their child and what sort of care and treatment they need. Conductive hearing loss, sensorineural impairment and mixed hearing loss all affect different parts of the ear and have different treatments and options available to them.

Consider your options

For children who are profoundly deaf, a cochlear implant can open up their world and allow them to achieve in ways you’ve never imagined. These revolutionary devices have changed the lives of more than 170,000 deaf individuals worldwide. Some parents may have reservations about this surgical procedure – a hearing expert will go through your options with you to assess whether you child is qualified for the implant and help alleviate some of your fears.

Parents of children with hearing loss don’t have to go it alone. There a number of helpful groups and supportive communities that can provide you with information, offer guidance and advice as well as give you the reassurance and support that you need. Reach out to your child and you will come to learn and grow together.