Ideas & Advice Blog
Purposeful Pausing
Posted on February 13 2012, 3:14:09 PM | Posted by jtcweb
Pausing is one of the techniques used in spoken language learning for a child with hearing loss. It can be used initially to encourage response to sounds, later for language development and then for problem solving. Pausing involves waiting to see if your child responds before you prompt him or model the expected answer. Once a child is wearing his listening devices during all waking hours, pausing can give him developmentally appropriate opportunities to show what he notices and understands.
The Leader of Your Child’s Educational Team: YOU
Posted on February 13 2012, 1:09:50 PM | Posted by jtcweb
The day your child was diagnosed with a hearing loss, you became an integral part of a team created to bring your little one to his or her greatest potential. That team consists of the:
- Pediatrician
- Ear Nose and Throat specialist
- Audiologist
- Teacher of the deaf and
- Specialists you consult regularly
Some Common Sounds
Posted on February 13 2012, 12:51:57 PM | Posted by jtcweb
If you have normal hearing, you probably tend to overlook many sounds in your everyday living environment. You probably don’t think about the hum of a computer, whir of the ceiling fan, or the bang of something being dropped. Little hearing-impaired children need to learn about these many sounds that are part of the everyday world. This list of common sounds will give you ideas about what to point out to your child as you help him develop his listening skills.
Understanding Your Child’s Hearing Tests
Posted on February 13 2012, 12:36:50 PM | Posted by jtcweb
A child is never too young to have his hearing checked. There are multiple reliable techniques used to measure hearing. A “hearing test” is actually an “Audiological Evaluation” made up of several tests for parts of the ear and hearing (auditory) system. A “hearing screening” is a quick procedure done to rule out concerns and can happen at any age and even when a baby is just hours old.
Speech and Spoken Language
Posted on February 09 2012, 4:40:58 PM | Posted by jtcweb
Your family has chosen the spoken language approach for your child with hearing loss. Professionals are always talking about the terms speech and language. Aren’t they the same? Not exactly. Although they are closely related, speech and language are different from one another. Parents who know the differences in those terms can recognize what a therapist or teacher might be emphasizing. If parents are aware of the components of speech and language, they can describe in greater detail what their children have achieved and find challenging. The whole family can learn what is involved in both speech and language and encourage the child’s progress.
School Time!
Posted on January 25 2012, 6:12:15 PM | Posted by volunteer
When your child enters preschool, you have the perfect opportunity to develop on-going teamwork with teachers and school personnel. This is the time to bring your positive attitude and support, which will continue throughout your child’s education.
Building your Child’s Bilingual Skills
Posted on January 25 2012, 6:11:51 PM | Posted by volunteer
Parents look forward to sharing their love, values, culture and language with their young children. If a family uses two languages, they may hope their children will communicate comfortably in both languages. They might want their children to learn one language for school and another for home, or one language for the community and another for the family. There is much a parent can do to promote language learning within the child’s environment.
Keep on Talking, The Pre- and Post- Implant Process
Posted on January 25 2012, 6:08:07 PM | Posted by volunteer
You have made the decision to provide your child with a cochlear implant. You might be wondering about what you can do before the surgery, while you wait for activation and after the first mapping. Here are simple suggestions your family can consider. Your child’s speech therapist and cochlear implant team will also have suggestions about the many ways you can provide audition and language.
Unilateral Hearing Loss
Posted on January 23 2012, 11:13:04 AM | Posted by jtcweb
Unilateral Hearing Loss: Enhancing the Environment
It is not uncommon for someone to hear well in one ear and not in the other. A child can be born with a unilateral (one-sided) hearing loss or can lose the hearing in one ear due to illness, injury or hereditary factors. The amount of hearing loss in the “poorer” ear can range from mild to severe-profound. The impact of this hearing loss can vary but families should be aware of potential challenges.
Let’s Sing!
Posted on January 19 2012, 4:28:59 PM | Posted by jtcweb
Music and singing bring people together. We sing for birthdays, religious or secular celebrations, and we sing just to have fun. Using our voices in song is an important part of life. This is true for your child who has a hearing loss, too. Not only is it fun, but it's beneficial!