According to the NIH, the earlier a child is screened for hearing loss, the “earlier that deafness or hearing loss is identified, the better the chances a child will acquire language, whether spoken or signed.” This is something all parents need to consider when deciding the appropriate time to get their child’s hearing tested.
If auditory hearing loss is identified, the first steps are often at the guidance of an audiologist. With their help, as well as the help of the school district, a plan will be set in place for hearing maitenance at home and in the classroom. But a positive approach to pediatric hearing loss doesn’t stop there.
The most positive approach to pediatric hearing loss may often rest at home with early child-parent interaction.
Also from the NIH:
“Parents should interact often with a deaf or hard-of-hearing infant. All of the caregivers in your child’s life should interact with him or her as much as possible. You can do this by holding, facing, smiling at, and responding to your infant from the very beginning. Children need love, encouragement, and care from their families and caregivers.”
Having a child with hearing loss can often seem daunting, but there are many resources parents can explore, everything from support groups for themselves to lists of communication exercises parents and children can do at home.