In our previous articles we have explored the intersection of hearing loss and mental well being from various perception. Now we nee to have a different one.
A person who cannot access sounds within the normal hearing range, has a hearing loss. Depending on the cause, the degree or severity can vary from patient to patient. According to the study, approximately two to three children of every 1000 are born with hearing loss in one or both hearts, and more than 90 pcs of deaf children are born to normal hearing parents. The child and the families are going throughout additional challenges as they reach a concussion of diagnosis. For everyone involved, it is important to learn how to best communicate and support those with hearing loss and support each other.
Children and teenagers with hearing loss are at greatest risk for mental health disorder compared to their normal peers. All these disorders can present themselves in many ways like: communication delays, learning disabilities, behavior disorders, social isolation and depression, and many more.
As the children grow and develop, they can feel isolated, struggle with schoolwork, keep up with conversations, and even discontinue use of their hearing aids or cochlear implants. Audiologists, they work with the children, enabling them to manage on their own, the hearing loss, in difficult listening situations. Supporting parents and the affected children, identifying their strengths and weaknesses, is paramount for the wellbeing of the family and the child.
Most of the time, the hearing loss diagnosis is scary for the parents. It’s important that parents understand the next steps to help the child, in the overwhelming situation of the diagnosis.
Parents are guidance and advice to find support to help them work through their emotions and feelings of having a child with hearing loss. With every occasion they are encouraged to talk with the audiologist or school specialist for additional resources. Furthermore, parents should identify if some of the child’s behavior at school or home is the result of distress caused by healing loss struggles or part of their personality. It is recommended that the entire family should be allowed to be included into any mental health or behavior program which allows the support of the child with the hearing loss. At this stage the parents will have the opportunity to share concerns, feelings and struggles, and thus find better solutions to help their child’s hearing or mental health needs, as well as their own.
In many cases we’ll need to follow simple rules around those with hearing loss such the following examples:
- When in a group, the person with hearing loss, we’ll need to bring them into the conversation.
- A quiet place to talk, away from background noise, for example restoranas and social gatherings.
- Facial expressions or gestures to give clues and staging in light can be beneficial.
- Speak clearly and face the persons, keep the eye contact
- Don’t shout, just one vocal tone upper, with moderate speed and simple.
- When speaking, do not eat.
- If it is the case, repeat yourself if required, using different words, and give time to everyone, in turn, to speak.
- Patience is the key. Positivity and relaxation will give calm vibes to those with hearing loss.
What everything we have talked about has to do with the ear wax, you may ask? One cause of the hearing loss can be the earwax or fluid build up, blocking the sounds that are carried from the eardrum to inner ear. If wax blockage is a problem, treatments are available in our clinic. With the ear wax removal and more we can help.
