When you were a kid, when did you first realize you were different from others? Maybe it was the color or texture of your hair and your sister’s hair. Me: thick curly brown hair. My sister: fine straight blonde hair. Or maybe it was the neighborhood kid down the street with a different color skin? For children with hearing differences, the equipment they wear or they way they communicate, often makes them face their differences at a very early age. So, how can we as family members and professionals help the children and students in our care build a strong, positive, self-confidence about their hearing difference. How can we help them understand that “different” is not bad, it’s just different? It’s a great big world out there.
1. Equipment
- Check out what Eloise Garland says in this article Why I Decorate My Hearing Aids. http://www.hearinglikeme.com/decorating-hearing-aids/.
- Also, check out Stacey Rich’s thoughts on When Should Children Care for Their Own Hearing Aids? http://www.hearinglikeme.com/can-child-start-care-hearing-aids/.
- Success for Kids with Hearing Loss has a great chart about age appropriate expectations when it come to equipment use. http://successforkidswithhearingloss.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/SEAM-for-School-Success.pdf
2. Connections
- Sign up for the Hearing Our Way magazine designed especially for kids and teens with hearing loss. http://www.hearingourway.com/kidsteens
- Read about Sophie a puppy learning all about using cochlear implants in Sophie’s Tales. http://www.sophiestales.com/resources
- Check out these resources for TEENS with hearing loss provided by the Alexander Graham Bell Association. https://www.agbell.org/Tertiary.aspx?id=1231
3. Activities
- Check out the Rule the School App for self-advocacy tips for students with hearing differences. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/rule-school-self-advocacy/id455501634?mt=8
- The I-Angel App is great for practicing listening with a new CI on a mobile device. https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/i-angel-sound/id839199212?mt=8
- Super Duper has a Difficult Situations App that is great for conversation starters and self advocacy ideas. https://www.superduperinc.com/products/view.aspx?pid=MXAFD156&s=difficult-situations-fun-deck-app&lid=41E46A95#.WEWIoXeZOb8
- The Listening Room has online games to help children, teens, and adults learn to listen with a CI through an online platform: http://thelisteningroom.com/en/
4. Resources
- Also check out these Bullying Prevention resources: http://www.freespirit.com/bullying-prevention-conflict-resolution/
- For more about helping students wit hearing differences develop a healthy Self concept, check out these ideas and resources. http://successforkidswithhearingloss.com/self-concept-school-age/
Do you have a favorite thing you do as a parent or professional to help children and students understand, embrace, and share about their hearing difference? We would love to hear from you. Leave a comment below, or write to us at carrie@carrienorman.com. Join the discussion about building confidence about hearing differences.
About the Author
