Video: Skye

This is Skye.  She was born deaf.  See the possibilities of what a cochlear implant can do by watching her story.

Skye Carter: Hearing for the First Time from Adam Irving on Vimeo.

Auditory Verbal Therapy: Part 10

Auditory Verbal Therapy: Part X

Principle X

Promote education in regular classrooms with typical hearing peers and with appropriate support services from early childhood onwards.

We're talking mainstreaming.  Children who are born deaf can definitely be placed in a regular classroom with hearing peers.  This is happening more and more often.  Parents and professionals should plan and prepare for this if they think it is a good fit for the child.  Many children who are born deaf are also born with other challenges such as Down syndrome or cerebral palsy and may require a specialized setting.  Work as a team to figure out what is reasonable.  Teamwork will be necessary.  The team should consist of: the parent, speech therapist, audiologist, classroom teacher, principle, resource teacher, and AV therapist.  Am I missing anybody?

Auditory Verbal Therapy: Part 6

Auditory Verbal Therapy: Part VI

Principle VI

Guide and coach parents to help their child integrate listening and spoken language into all aspects of the child's life.

Children born with hearing loss, especially if it is amplified late, are not natural listeners.  It needs to become a habit.  And habits can be taught!  Parents need to learn how to take advantage of everyday listening moments and capitalize on them.  For example, the mom and baby are playing with blocks and the doorbell rings. She could just get up and go answer the door, but she would be missing out on a great learning opportunity.  Mom should sit up straight and announce, "I heard something!" and point to her ear.  She is teaching the child to notice sounds as they occur around her.  She is also teaching her that sounds go through the ear/hearing aid/implant thus teaching the child the importance of the device that they wear and its connection with noises. 

Guest Post: Hearing Loss Basics

This article was submitted to me by new blogger John O'Connor from Blogging With John O.  Like me, John has a desire to spread the word about hearing loss and related issues.  We hope you learn something new from it!

In the United States, two to three children in every 1000 suffer hearing loss or are completely deaf. Unfortunately, some hearing loss in small children is not recognized until the child is already behind in language.  Early intervention is necessary to help parents take the necessary steps to prevent delays in language development.

What Precautions Can Be Taken to Prevent Hearing Loss In Children?  

All 50 states offer a newborn hearing screening, Early detection is crucial, and along with early intervention, children can learn to listen and speak without getting behind in language skills.

What are the Causes of Childhood Hearing Loss?

 
Otitis Media

  This condition can lead to permanent hearing loss if left untreated. Otitis media is a middle ear infection that often occurs in underdeveloped Eustachian tubes common in developing children. With this type of infection, the fluid builds behind the eardrum and becomes infected. If the fluid remains there for a prolonged period of time, it can impair hearing.

Acquired Hearing Loss

Certain illnesses can cause hearing loss in children. These conditions include: encephalitis, meningitis, measles, influenza, head injuries, chickenpox, genetic hearing loss, very loud noises and certain medications.

 Congenital Factors

Some children who are afflicted with hearing loss from childbirth may experience loss because of genetics or because of prenatal complications. More than half of children’s congenital hearing problems are due to genetics. Children’s hearing loss can also occur when the mother has diabetes or toxemia during pregnancy. Hearing loss is also more common in children born prematurely.

How to Notice Hearing Loss in Children

•           Children Do Not React to Loud Noises
•           Children Do Not Respond to a Mother’s Voice
•           Children Pull or Rub Ears
•           Children Are Irritable for No Apparent Reason
•           Children Do Not Understand/Follow Directions
•           Child is not reaching early language milestones 
•           Child Has Ear Pain accompanied by a Fever

How to Treat Childhood Hearing Loss

Medications

A pediatrician may prescribe antibiotics to alleviate the symptoms associated with ear infections and hearing loss.

Hearing Aids

Children with hearing loss can begin wearing hearing aids as early as one month old.

 Ear Tubes

A child may need ear tubes to drain the fluid from the eardrum and prevent infection. Children may require an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist for this procedure.

Implants

Children may require cochlear implants or electronic devices to help with hearing. These devices should be used only after hearing aids have been found ineffective.