It’s back-to-school time! If your child has hearing loss and uses hearing aids, you have a little more on your plate than just pencils and new clothes. It’s essential to do a little extra preparation for your child to ensure they have a happy, fulfilling school year. Here are some steps you can take before the first day of school to set your child up for success.
Get an Updated Audiogram
The first step is to make an appointment with your child’s audiologist for an updated audiogram. This hearing test will reveal whether your child’s hearing aids are sufficient or if they need new ones or need to have their current ones reprogrammed. Addressing any changes in their hearing now will give them the best start to the school year.
Talk to Their Teachers
Reach out to your child’s teachers, coaches and other school administrators to educate them about your child’s hearing loss and their communication needs: extra pauses while teaching, talking slowly, facing the class so your child can use facial expressions and lip movements to fill in context, or any other techniques that your child finds helpful. Show them how their hearing aids work if troubleshooting is needed during class. If you have a lapel mic that streams audio directly to the hearing aids, consider giving it to your child’s teacher to make lessons easier for everyone.
Back-to-School Shopping
Beyond binders and pens, make sure your child’s backpack is well-stocked with the following:
- Extra hearing aid batteries
- Cleaning tools so your child can clean their headphones if they get dirty
- Hearing aid manual so your child, their teacher or any other administrator can troubleshoot problems if they arise
- Lanyard or hearing aid clips so their hearing aids don’t get lost during gym class or recess
- An extra notebook as a fallback option so they can communicate in writing if their hearing aids stop working
Double-Check Their Hearing Aids
Before your child leaves for school, ensure their batteries are charged and their hearing aids are clean. This will prevent dead batteries or sound distortion from wax buildup, keeping their hearing aids functioning so their education isn’t impacted.
Empower Your Child
Remind your child to raise their hand and ask questions or for clarification. Encourage them to be confident in asking for assistance. Discuss some communication strategies they can use to enhance their communication and understanding in class. Address any anxieties they may have with empathy and remind them that they’re not on their hearing journey alone. SH Audiology is here for you and your child this fall.
