You’ve probably heard the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child.” For families of children with hearing loss, that village is especially important in providing support. While this is your journey for your child, you don’t have to go it alone. Your professional team is ready to support you every step of the way.
That team may include pediatricians; pediatric audiologists; otorhinolaryngologists (ORL); otolaryngologists (OTO); ear, nose, and throat (ENT) physicians; early interventionists; listening and spoken language (LSL) specialists; speech-language pathologists; teachers; and more.
Each member of your child’s team — including you! — plays an important role in helping your child learn to listen and talk.
So, how can you make the most of every visit and build trusting parent-professional relationships? Just remember HEAR for four easy tips for parents of children with hearing loss.
Have honest and clear communication
This is where it all starts — be sure your professional team knows your goals and expectations. Tell them the dreams you have for your child and be honest throughout the journey.
Update your team on:
- What’s happening with your family
- Any challenges you're facing
- Areas where you may not feel certain
Pro parent tip: Don’t be shy about asking for what you need! Your professional team is there to guide, coach, and problem-solve with you. You’re on the same team and you both want the very best for your child.
Engage and be ready to learn
Each early intervention session and audiology appointment is a chance to build new skills. Even on the days when you’re exhausted or battling brain fog, your presence makes a difference.
- In your early intervention sessions, you’ll learn and practice strategies to help your child listen and talk.
- At audiology appointments, you’ll learn how to manage your child’s devices and understand what she's able to hear.
Engaging fully helps you and your child get the most out of each session and appointment.
Pro parent tip: Share your child’s strengths, challenges, and what’s not working for your family. Your feedback helps your professional team tailor their guidance to your unique needs.
Actively practice at home
The real magic happens between visits. Each appointment and session will give you tools and strategies to weave into your daily life.
Together with your early interventionist, you’ll create a plan that fits your family’s daily life and routines. You’ll then use the strategies you’ve practiced in everyday moments like mealtimes, diaper changes, car rides, and bedtime.
Your audiologist will also send you home with steps to practice, like caring for your child’s devices and practicing their hearing aid routine, as well as making sure the devices are worn for at least 10 hours a day.
Before you know it, you’ll be practicing every day — maybe without even realizing it because it’s become second nature!
Pro parent tip: Remember, there’s no such thing as perfect in parenting, but there is perseverance! And perseverance will get you and your child closer to your goals.
For more information on your child’s hearing devices and topics you’ll discuss with your child’s pediatric audiologist, check out this video on getting to know your baby’s hearing devices.
Reflect on the journey
Take time to pause and notice progress along the way. Reflection is an important step that helps you celebrate milestones, track growth, and set new goals.
Take time to:
- Remember where you started
- Celebrate where you are now and how far you’ve come
- Look ahead at where you want to go
- Share your reflections with your professional team
It can be hard to take time to pause and reflect when you’re a busy parent of a child with hearing loss. Your time and energy are precious commodities, but it is worth it to slow down and take a moment to acknowledge where you are on the journey and how you’re feeling.
Pro parent tip: Short on time but still want to reflect? Record videos, write down quick notes in your phone or in a journal, take photos — whatever works to share and celebrate your child's progress!
Make the most of every session and appointment
The path to listening and talking for children with hearing loss looks different for each family. Your child’s hearing loss is unique and her progress toward listening, spoken language, and reading builds over time. We call it a journey for a reason!
As a parent, you lead that journey — so trust your instincts. If you have a concern or if something doesn’t feel quite right, listen to your gut. You know your child and your family best, and your professional team wants to hear from you!
So, just remember H-E-A-R:
- Have honest and clear communication
- Engage in the sessions and appointments and being ready to learn
- Actively practice at home
- Reflect on the journey
These four simple steps will help you feel more confident and prepared as you work with your professional team to help your child listen, talk, read, and thrive!
Whether you’re just starting out or looking for ways to feel more confident, check out this video for more ways to strengthen your relationship with your early intervention team, reduce stress, and stay focused on the big dreams you have for your little one.?
This article was provided by Hearing First. Hearing First supports families and professionals to help children with hearing loss have the opportunity to take advantage of access to sound — a critical building block for future success.
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