Ideas & Advice Blog
Middle Ear Fluid and Its Effects on Early Learning
Posted on March 22 2013, 2:43:39 PM | Posted by jtcweb
Parents are skilled in figuring out many of their young child’s health needs. A common condition that is sometimes hard to notice is middle ear fluid. When a child has an ear infection or middle ear fluid he may experience a temporary decrease in hearing that can cause educational difficulties. If a caregiver, teacher, hearing screener or other service provider reports possible changes in hearing, parents can recognize how this can impact learning and take action. By responding to middle ear fluid needs parents can help their child stay healthy, listen easily and learn well.
Where to Begin
Posted on March 13 2013, 2:27:56 PM | Posted by jtcpals
When a young child is identified with hearing loss parents can start with these steps.
Audiogram of Familiar Sounds
Posted on February 04 2013, 3:41:58 PM | Posted by jtcweb
What Does My Child Hear?
An audiogram is used to graph responses to sounds and speech during certain hearing tests. The examples on an illustrated audiogram show the types and levels of sounds. The area outlined on the audiogram showing most of the speech sounds is often referred to as the “speech banana” because of its shape on the graph. A parent can compare their child’s individual audiogram to the example to see what he is hearing.
Hearing levels are categorized to indicate the amount of speech and sounds that can be heard. General categories can be expressed as:
- Normal Hearing
- Hears sounds of every pitch at a soft level
- Mild
- Hears most speech sounds from a close distance
- Moderate
- May hear vowel sounds (louder sounds) in speech
- Severe
- May hear loud environmental sounds
- Profound
- May hear extremely loud sounds
Test results are usually recorded on a non-illustrated audiogram. The numbers across the top of the audiogram indicate frequency (pitch) measured in “Hertz” abbreviated “Hz”. Testing is done across frequencies, but most speech sounds occur between low deep pitches (250 Hz) and high squeaky pitches (8000 Hz).
Early Expectations for a Child with a Cochlear Implant
Posted on January 28 2013, 11:31:23 AM | Posted by jtcpals
Families often have many emotions about their child’s cochlear implant (CI). One common feeling is of uncertainty. Parents are unsure of what changes they will see and when their child might talk. Surgery and being fitted with external equipment begins the process. The first use of the activated implant is awareness of sounds. Family members can be very involved in helping a child develop a range of listening skills. As a child increases his listening and understanding, his speech skills can expand.
Baby’s First Hearing Aid!
Posted on November 28 2012, 3:40:50 PM | Posted by jtcpals
Parents are eager for a baby’s responses to sound with a new hearing aid. When a baby wears hearing aids for the first time families are often unsure what to expect. A baby’s responses can vary from startling, smiling or not seeming to react. Learning to listen takes time. There is much that parents can do to guide a baby’s comfort with hearing aids, awareness of sound and development of listening skills.
Your baby needs adjustment time for many new experiences. New shoes can feel uncomfortable. New foods can taste strange. Even when that newness is a fun toy, it can take time for a child to know what to expect. Hearing aids are an unfamiliar sensation for a baby. With his first hearing aid a baby might be hearing new sounds, feeling the hearing aid on his ear and sensing an ear mold filling his ear canal. Parents can help a baby adjust to amplification by initially putting hearing aids on in a quiet place while enjoying a familiar activity together. To keep the baby comfortable as he hears new sounds, families can turn off the TV or background music to create a quieter environment. Keeping a baby occupied with a toy for short periods while talking to him in a natural voice can make early listening an enjoyable experience. Gradually the hours per day that a baby is wearing aids can be increased until he is using them during all waking hours.
Communicating Clearly with Young Children with Hearing Loss: Tips for Home & School
Posted on November 14 2012, 11:25:50 AM | Posted by jtcpals
Tips for Home
Identifying ways to help children feel successful communicating is key to their becoming more confident and using more language. Whether children are talking, signing, cueing or using a combined approach there can be times when communication seems challenging. Consider using some of these tips to enhance family interactions.
Routines: A remarkable way to learn language
Posted on October 31 2012, 3:24:32 PM | Posted by jtcpals
Daily routines may seem like tiresome tasks to adults. For preschool children typical routines can be full of discoveries! A family’s daily routines provide regular opportunities for children with hearing loss to use language, listening and speech.
Think about what happens on an ordinary day. During certain times of the day make it a habit to converse with your preschooler while involving him briefly in typical tasks. He can learn so much from these fun and functional conversations.
Other Reading and Online Resources
Posted on October 23 2012, 11:50:15 AM | Posted by jtcpals
Families’ preferences for sources of hearing loss information will vary. A few recent publications are listed here to help you get started! Ask other parents and professionals for more suggestions.
Create a personalized list and share it!
FM systems…a little tech that’s a big help
Posted on October 16 2012, 1:48:22 PM | Posted by jtcpals
Using an FM for your preschooler with hearing loss
Families with children using hearing aids and cochlear implants are continually looking for ways to help them hear as effortlessly as possible. An FM (frequency modulation) system is a wireless portable system that offers the extra advantage of hearing speech slightly louder than other sounds. In noisy situations or when there is distance between the child and the speaker, an FM makes listening easier. FMs are used by many preschoolers with hearing loss at home and school. Both children and parents find it helpful!
Technology With Tots
Posted on October 08 2012, 4:02:08 PM | Posted by jtcweb
Young children with hearing loss learn language best through meaningful interactions with others. When they are involved and interested, their language can be strengthened. Young children are intrigued by cell phones, computers, remotes, tablets, GPS, calculators and other mobile technology. Parents can use their personal devices to encourage their child’s language learning. The key is to add personal interaction and enjoy using a device together. A child might hold a mobile device to assist with completing a shopping list, use invented spelling to add to a typed message or enjoy an animated storybook. Technology can be another tool for building a young child’s language experiences.