Things I Wish People Knew About My Kids’ Hearing Loss
They are typical kids, who do not have typical hearing.
If you speak in a quiet voice, they can not hear you.
When they are in a place with background noise, it is tough to hear (outdoors, a gym, a restaurant, on the playground, near the ocean).
If they don’t hear you the first time; don’t get frustrated. Just repeat it. No need to shout.
People who are deaf or hard of hearing make very different choices; there is not a one-size-fits-all way to navigate your personal experience.
Avoid covering your mouth when you speak; they can’t read your lips if they can’t see your mouth.
Tap them on the shoulder or get their attention before you speak to them.
If you talk from across the room or with your back turned, they will miss some or all of what you say.
If they don’t hear you, simply repeat it. Don’t say, “never mind” or “ It’s not important.” That is isolating.
When the magnet on the device is off their head, the cochlear implant does not work, and they can’t hear anything.
Be patient. Frustration cuts. Kids who are deaf often read body language better than the average person.
Most people born deaf never know the cause.
Listening with hearing technology can be exhausting. Kids need time to decompress, or they might act out. It is harder than it looks.
Understanding social nuances is really challenging when you are hard of hearing.
In the end, they are resilient, adaptable kids who want to be included and accepted.