Approaching Children Regarding Hearing Loss
April 16, 2018It is commonly believed that hearing loss is a problem of the elderly population in America. This cannot be further from the truth. In America, approximately 12,000 infants are born with some form of hearing impairment every year. This is why it is important to discuss the topic of hearing loss so that they may become more aware of it in order to help themselves or other children in need.
During the school years, children often face several negative consequences as a result of having a hearing problem. They are often teased, bullied, and even treated violently by other students because of their hearing loss. Children who wear hearing aids stand out even more clearly as targets to bullying since their hearing disability is visible to all students. Teach your child to be compassionate and supportive towards children with hearing loss.
It is always a good idea to teach your child to be compassionate simply as a general trait, but even more so when it comes to those with hearing disability, due to the added challenges they face. Educate your child about hearing loss and its symptoms, and inform them how hard it can be to live a life without one’s hearing. In so doing, teach them to develop empathic understanding towards other children who have hearing loss.
Encourage your child to be considerate and helpful towards their hearing disabled friends. Ask them to be receptive and accommodating when it comes to helping children with hearing loss. Every child has something unique to offer to this world. When children learn to be not only tolerant but welcoming of the various differences that life presents us with, their childhood and even their adult years will be filled with a sense of joy and fulfillment.
Keep an eye and ear out for your own child in case they show signs of hearing loss. Constantly increasing the volume on the television or audio device is a sign of hearing damage. If you find yourself having to constantly repeat instructions to them, do not be quick to label them as being lazy or defiant. Instead, consider that they may not have heard your voice in the first place due to hearing loss. Talk to them if they show signs of difficulty in their academic life or hearing what their teacher is saying.
Hearing loss can easily be treated if it is detected early. Sometimes, simple causes result in hearing loss, such as accumulation of earwax in the ears, or viral infections. Talk to your children to make sure that they lead healthy lives, eat well, exercise more, and turn down the volume on their audio device. Encourage them to use hearing protection whenever they attend loud recreational events such as rock concerts or sporting activities. Prevention is far better than the cure. Hearing loss can be a struggle for all those who have it, so teach your children to be understanding; as they say, charity begins at home!