Ideas & Advice Blog
Purposeful Pausing
Posted on February 13 2012, 3:14:54 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.
Inquiring about Cochlear Implants
Posted on February 13 2012, 2:56:12 PM | Posted by jtcweb
When a child is identified with a hearing loss, family members might wonder about a cochlear implant (CI). Specific information on implants, centers and candidacy can be found through websites and from audiologists. This paper addresses some questions families often ask in the beginning about the implant process.
Auditory Neuropathy
Posted on February 13 2012, 2:44:41 PM | Posted by jtcweb
What Tests Can be Done?
Your child has been diagnosed with auditory neuropathy. If the audiologist told you that your child was deaf or hard of hearing, you would understand the problem and solution. Family and friends all know something about hearing loss. But this diagnosis is not common, and even the words “Auditory Neuropathy” do not convey the problem or solution to most people. After hearing their youngster’s diagnosis, some parents feel confused, overwhelmed and often very much alone.
Middle Ear Fluid in Young Children
Posted on February 13 2012, 12:55:41 PM | Posted by jtcweb
This guide is about middle ear fluid in children birth through five years who have no other health problems. After reading this guide, you should know more about:
- Causes of middle ear fluid
- Tests for middle ear fluid and hearing
- Treatments for middle ear fluid and for hearing loss caused by middle ear fluid
- How to work with your child’s health care provider to find the best treatment for your child’s middle ear fluid
Keep on Talking, The Pre- and Post- Implant Process
Posted on January 25 2012, 6:08:19 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.
The Cochlear Implant and Your Child, Part 1
Posted on January 25 2012, 5:58:11 PM | Posted by volunteer
You have made the decision for your child to receive a cochlear implant. You have spent a considerable amount of time at a cochlear implant center through the initial selection evaluation procedure, surgery, and initial stimulation process. You have been involved with physicians, audiologists, speech pathologists, psychologists and educators who have helped you learn about the implant and who have helped your child get started using the implant. Do you know that surgery and being fitted with the external equipment does not bring about instant hearing for your child? In fact, the hearing loss has not been cured nor has hearing been restored. However, the experience and trained professionals will help your child benefit fully from the cochlear implant.
The Cochlear Implant and Your Child, Part 2
Posted on January 25 2012, 5:56:10 PM | Posted by volunteer
To read Part 1 of The Cochlear Implant and Your Child click here.
Care And Maintenance Of The Implant
As mentioned earlier, it is crucial that your child wear his implant during all waking hours and that the equipment is in good working order at all times. This is a very important role for you as parents and for the classroom teachers and therapists, as well. Auditory learning and successful listening cannot be achieved when the device is in less than optimal working condition. In order for your child to understand what he hears, a consistent signal needs to come from his implant. Therefore, it is important for you to be knowledgeable about the implant equipment and be aware of some basic troubleshooting steps. Each cochlear implant company provides a guide containing this information. You child’s benefit from the implant depends on your ability to check and troubleshoot the equipment, so reading this guide is essential.
Unilateral Hearing Loss
Posted on January 23 2012, 11:13:52 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.
Conductive Hearing Loss and/or Ottis Media in Young Children
Posted on January 18 2012, 12:03:49 PM | Posted by jtcweb
Your child’s hearing test results show reduced eardrum movement and/or decreased hearing. The most common cause of such problems in young children is otitis media—an inflammation of the middle ear. This suggests the presence of a significant medical problem which is almost always correctable with proper medical treatment.