Growing up with a hearing loss
As a parent of a hearing-impaired child you must have in mind that all children - with or without hearing loss - develop differently and that you as a parent can do much to help.
Each child is unique and reacts individually. For all parents, it is important to get to know your child's personality, skills and nature, and as a parent of a hearing-impaired child, you must also learn as much as possible about hearing loss and your child's particular circumstance.
Get involved in your child's situation, but do not become anxious and overprotecting without reason. Ask teachers, audiologists and other professionals for advice, and tell family and friends about your thoughts and impressions. They too can observe how your child grows up and socialises with other children.
The best way of helping is by paying attention to your child and by being loving, accepting and encouraging:
- Talk to your child, so that he or she learns how to use his/her remaining hearing ability and learns how to lip-read
- Praise your child when he or she does something well,
- Smile to your child. Smiling means a lot to a hearing-impaired child
- Pay attention to your child
- Read bedtime stories and sing songs
- Provide physical activity and ensure physical contact
It is also important to remember that there is no such thing as one correct answer or one correct way in which to behave. But the more you understand your child's situation, the better you will know how to help and support your child.
