Here you can find tips and recommendations I've come to know in raising a child with hearing loss
associated with Microtia.
We still have a big journey ahead of us, which means much more learning. If you know of any important tips to add, please share them!
associated with Microtia.
We still have a big journey ahead of us, which means much more learning. If you know of any important tips to add, please share them!
- If you leave your child in one room to walk to another, let them know aloud where you are. Ex. Your child is in the living room, "I'm in the Kitchen!" Not only does this increase their vocabulary if they are young, it prevents confusion and feelings of abandonment. - Katelyn, Connor's audiologist at Dartmouth-Hitchcock
- When you need answers but feel lost in the shuffle of "phone tag," don't give up! Keep calling and be heard, but polite. You will eventually find people you know you can trust will give you good information and will be there when you need them!
- No matter how much we parent's can hope, the BAHA does not restore hearing to 'normal.' The child will still rely on visual cues on what is not audible. So to help this; get their attention before you speak, face them, and talk in a well projected and clear voice (best within 6 feet). Reduce background noise and echoes as these further degrade what the child is able to hear.
- Try to give preference and favor their better-hearing ear.
- If your hearing medical device is not approved by your insurance company -DON'T GET DISCOURAGED! Try to appeal it, if that doesn't work there are many helpful resources that will aid you.
- Show feelings with facial expressions, tone of voice and body language.
- Talk to your child throughout daily activities and routines. Wait for a response and then respond back like they know exactly what you are saying.
- Name people and objects and allow them to explore new things.
- When wearing the BAHA or hearing aid, associate it with pleasurable experiences, never with "getting in trouble." If your child pulls the aid off, you must put it back on, even if it is only long enough to give a quick praise. When you are ready to take it off say, "Daddy/Mommy will take off your hearing aid." You can not let the child determine when to take off the aid, they will get a sense of power over us and not want to wear it! Anticipate when to take off the aid, before they get fussy.
All medical advice, issues or problems should be discussed with your child's or your own physician.