Adjusting to your child's hearing loss
A hearing loss means more than just an inability to hear. Hearing loss leads to problems accessing auditory information - particularly speech. Environmental sounds that add richness to one’s quality of life might not be heard by a child with hearing loss. Even a mild loss can lead to communication, learning, reading, language and social difficulties. To help children overcome these difficulties, grandparents and brothers and sisters should get actively involved.
When a child is diagnosed with hearing loss, it draws a great deal of attention to both child and parents. But it is important to remember that the hearing loss also impacts the rest of the family - including grandparents and siblings.
As advanced as hearing instruments have become today, they are still limited. Understanding these limitations is a necessity for grandparents and siblings who are eager to communicate. Knowing the best way to speak with the child - and using the best communication strategies - can lead to success rather than failure.
Knowledge and communication
Sometimes only one or two members of the family can successfully communicate with the child, so they become the "interpreter" for the rest of the family This can impact relationships between family members and the child with the hearing loss. The best solution is to teach everyone how to communicate directly and successfully with the child. Grandparents and siblings must understand the child’s hearing loss, how their hearing instruments help, and what the most appropriate ways are to communicate with the child. For valuable communication techniques, visit the Daily life communication section.
In addition to learning about hearing loss, hearing instruments, and communication, grandparents and siblings may have their own adjustment needs, depending on how the situation is affecting them. They may need help in dealing with reactions from friends, neighbours and others, and advice on how to cope with the special needs of a child with hearing loss. The next two sections discuss the special issues that grandparents and siblings may face.
Oticon would like to thank Dr. Jay R. Lucker, Ed.D and Anne T Molloy, M.S.Ed for helping us write the sections for grandparents and siblings.
