Hearing Center - Working with your Impaired Child

No parent likes to be told that their child has an impairment of any kind. It has becomes the standard answer to the "girl or boy" question to reply, "It doesn't matter, as long as its healthy." This isn't just empty sentiment. Parents love their children and want the best for them. Any impairment is only going to make the child's life more difficult. As any hearing center will tell you, however, having the right tools and techniques can make a world of difference. You can't change what already is, but you can change your behavior towards it. Here are some tips on working with your impaired child.

Face Them When Talking

You have to make concessions when talking to a child with auditory impairment. A hearing center will often advise parents of children to face them whenever they speak. This offers a number of advantages. One, the child will be able to use your facial expressions, gestures, and the movement of your lips to help them understand what you are saying. Two, you'll be projecting the sound in a direct and clear path. This can go a long way towards overcoming whatever impairment the child may be struggling with.

Speak Naturally

If your child has visited a hearing center and has been fitted with a listening aid, take that into consideration when speaking to them. Remember that an aid amplifies all volume. If you yell or even talk above a normal level, it can be painful to hear and may even cancel out the benefits of wearing the device to begin with. Far more important is that you speak clearly and enunciate. You don't need to slow your speech to a crawl, but you should also avoid speaking too rapidly. Just being conscious of how you are talking to your child can make a big difference. Encourage them to tell you what you could do to improve communication.

Work With Professionals

Professionals at a hearing center, your audiologist, and ENT doctor can provide you with a great deal of help and support. Use these resources as much as possible. They can offer you a wealth of experience and knowledge. It's foolhardy to believe you are the first person going through a comparable situation. Since you aren't, there's no need to reinvent the wheel. Every child is an individual, but that doesn't mean there aren't some tried and true methods for success out there. Make sure you have someone you can talk to when the going gets tough.