According to the Centers for Disease Control, 14.9% of children ages six to 19 have low or high-frequency hearing loss of at least 16 decibels. Sending your kids with hearing loss to school for the first time may initially feel like a nerve-wracking experience. Taking a few steps to prepare your kids for attending school, going on field trips to the Exploratorium and more can help alleviate worries and set them on the right path for a better education.
Pack Extra Batteries
Dead hearing aid batteries can get in the way of your child’s learning. Pack extra batteries or a charger if your child’s hearing aids use rechargeable batteries to prevent interrupted learning.
Talk to Your Child’s Teachers
Many schools have systems in place to accommodate children with hearing loss. You can request an aid, ASL interpreter or other accommodations to help your child during their school day.
A couple of requests you can ask of your child’s teacher may include:
- Face the class. Hearing loss can make understanding people when they aren’t facing you difficult. Teachers often turn and face the whiteboard when speaking, making them challenging to understand. Ask your child’s teacher to face the class while they talk and avoid turning away during important points.
- Rephrase. If your child misses or misunderstands a piece of information, repeating it isn’t always helpful, as they may have struggled to hear specific sounds. Instead, ask your child’s teacher to rephrase rather than repeat.
- One-on-one time. Your child’s teacher may need to set aside time to work directly with your child. One-on-one time may be as short as giving assignments or directions directly to your child or as long as after-school tutoring.
Encourage Your Child to Ask Questions
There will inevitably be times when your child misses or is confused by new information. Encourage your child to ask questions or speak up for themselves when confused. Giving your child ownership in their education will help them make the most out of their days in school.
For more information about managing your child’s hearing loss, contact San Francisco Audiology today to make an appointment with one of our specialists.