3 Ways to Support Your Child as They Deal with Hearing Loss
Posted on: 8 November 2016
Working with an otolaryngologist is the most important thing you can do to support your child as they deal with hearing loss, but it's not the only step you can take to make their life easier. Here are three additional options to consider implementing.
Learn Sign Language Together
An excellent way to give your child some control over their communication options is to learn sign language together. Not only will the process bring you closer together and give you a chance to bond, but it will also give your little one a whole new way of communicating with you so that there are never any misunderstandings between the two of you.
Your child is also likely to feel heard more often if they're able to communicate with sign language when voice communication seems ineffective. You can borrow books and DVDs from the library to teach yourselves at home on your own time, or you can find a personal teacher in your community who is willing to meet with you once or twice a week until you and your child are fluent in sign language.
Talk to the Teacher
If your child is of school age, then chances are that they'll have a hard time in class when it comes to paying attention to the teacher and absorbing the information they are given because they can't hear well. So, take the time to talk to your child's teacher about their hearing issues and work together to create a comprehensive plan that will enable your little one to succeed in school.
Have your child seated in the front row near the teacher's desk, and ask the teacher to stand near the desk when addressing the entire class. Have the teacher print any written information that corresponds to in-class lessons so they can be taken home by your child for studying with you.
Work on Written Communication
Practicing written communication skills with your child on a daily basis will get them used to writing messages to people when it's necessary instead of ending up frustrated due to miscommunication. You and your child should carry a small notebook around at all times and practice writing notes to each other when at home, in the store, in the car on the way to school, and at the park during an afternoon picnic.
If your child feels comfortable with written communication, it will become a natural form of communication, which can come in handy if their hearing continues to fail as they age and they can no longer audibly communicate with strangers, co-workers, or even friends who don't know sign language.
These tips and tricks will help your child acclimate to their hearing loss as time goes on and are sure to support the treatments that an otolaryngologist like those at Melnick, Moffitt & Mesaros ENT Associates introduces.
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