NO STIGMA ATTACHED

3%:

AMOUNT OF SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN WHO HAVE PROBLEMS HEARING

you could be suffering from hearing loss if:

Dr. Fankhouser says that the stigma once attached to hearing loss has given way to tolerance and acceptance—especially with children. Using the proper approach, not only is hearing loss not stigmatized, an affected child can be made to feel special.

“Whereas, at one time a child might have been teased when wearing a hearing aid, kids today ask to be fitted with hearing aids that are bright and colorful,” he says. “We even offer to help parents coordinate a party where a child with hearing loss can invite all of his or her friends to come and celebrate their new life. This way, the child’s friends can learn from adults what hearing loss is about and how to best communicate with their friend. Once children become familiar with what the hearing aid does and how it helps the child lead a more comfortable life, they simply accept it as part of their life.”

And that is good news to hear.

Detecting Hearing Loss In Children

FROM BIRTH TO 2 YEARS OF AGE A CHILD SHOULD:

• STARTLE AT LOUD NOISES

• LOOK TOWARD SOUNDS OR A PARENT’S VOICE

• SMILE WHEN SPOKEN TO

• RESPOND TO HIS OR HER NAME

• FOLLOW SIMPLE COMMANDS

• PUT TWO OR MORE WORDS TOGETHER WHEN SPEAKING

A CHILD OLDER THAN 2 YEARS OF AGE MAY HAVE A HEARING PROBLEM IF HE OR SHE:

• DOES NOT ANSWER WHEN CALLED

• GIVES IMPROPER RESPONSES TO QUESTIONS

• TURNS TELEVISION VOLUME HIGH

• HAS SPEECH PROBLEMS

• COMPLAINS OF NOT HEARING A TEACHER IN SCHOOL

Source: pamf.org

• YOU HAVE TROUBLE HEARING NORMAL CONVERSATION IF THERE IS BACKGROUND NOISE.

• IT IS HARD TO UNDERSTAND OTHERS WHEN TALKING ON THE PHONE.

• IT SEEMS AS IF OTHERS MUMBLE WHEN THEY TALK.

• YOU CONSTANTLY HEAR A LOUD RINGING OR BUZZING SOUND WHEN EVERYTHING AROUND YOU IS QUIET.

• IT IS HARDER TO UNDERSTAND THE HIGHER PITCHED VOICES OF WOMEN OR CHILDREN.

• OTHERS COMPLAIN THAT YOU TURN THE TELEVISION UP TOO LOUD.