Back to School with Hearing Loss

Autumn is just around the corner, and parents across the nation will soon be back-to-school shopping, packing backpacks and getting their kids ready for the upcoming school year. Whether your child is about to start first grade or their final year of high school, it is a momentous time to be sure. An approaching school year holds the promise of new friends to be made, skills to be learned, exciting things to be discovered and plentiful opportunities for growth. For children with hearing loss, there may be some additional challenges for them in the year ahead, but there are many ways parents can help them to succeed in the classroom.

Hearing is vital to learning

To say that hearing plays a large role in the acquisition of language is an understatement. We learn to speak by imitating the sounds we hear– the number one way toddlers learn to speak is by listening to their parents at home. Children with hearing loss (especially if it is undiagnosed) may face delays in learning new vocabulary, grammar, word order, and other aspects of verbal communication. They may also struggle with reading and mathematical concepts. This is why it so important to make sure hard of hearing children are getting the right support to help them achieve as well as their hearing peers in the classroom.
Sometimes hearing loss goes undetected, and a child’s longer learning curve may be attributed to a cognitive delay or other underlying factor. It is vital to have your child’s hearing tested early, and provide them with the hearing technology they need if they do have a hearing loss. Taking steps to protect your child’s hearing in noisy environments is essential as well–the structures of the inner ear are more vulnerable to damage in children, and permanent noise damage can happen quickly.

Hearing loss in children can be caused by a variety of factors, including congenital hearing loss (from birth), childhood diseases, exposure to noise, the buildup of fluid from ear infections, and even certain medications. Fortunately, not all hearing loss is permanent; the fluid from ear infections, for example, can cause a temporary hearing loss that is usually relieved once the infection has been treated.

For children with permanent hearing loss, pediatric hearing aids are invaluable tools. These devices are designed to be small, secure, snug and durable enough to withstand kids’ active playtimes. FM systems are also very popular assistive hearing tools in the classroom, allowing your child to hear the teacher’s voice clearly and consistently, in spite of any background noise.  

A back to school checklist

1) Schedule a checkup. At Orange County Physicians’ Hearing Services, we look forward to meeting with you and your child prior to the start of the school year. At your child’s checkup, we will provide an up to date hearing test and make sure their devices are comfortable, in good working order, and still meeting their hearing needs.

2) Get to know your child’s IEP
When your child is school age you’ll want to work together with their teachers, audiologist and other school staff to develop an individualized education plan that helps them succeed in the classroom. If your child’s hearing loss is more serious you may want them to receive speech-language therapy throughout the day. If the level of loss is milder, they may not require special academic services, but could probably still benefit from learning accommodations in the classroom (always being seated near the teacher, important instructions being written down, etc.). If your child already has an IEP in place, re-familiarize yourself with it, and make sure it is meeting their current needs.    

3) Help your child to be their own advocate You can help your child to speak up for themselves by telling them about their IEP and what they are entitled to in the classroom. Make sure they are not afraid of asking for help if they need it; encourage them to speak up if something is not correct.

4) Talk to your child’s teacher about their IEP A short meeting with your child’s teacher and principal about your child’s education plan, as well as your expectations, will help everyone to be on the same page and start the school year in the best possible way.

5) Assistive Hearing Technology
A teacher can also help a hard of hearing student by making sure they are benefiting from their assistive hearing technology. It is a good idea to familiarize your child’s teacher with any assistive technology that your child wears. Make sure the teacher is able to operate it, help to change batteries, and check if it is working properly.

6) Hearing aid functions. Help your child to get familiar with the basic functions of their hearing aid, cochlear implant or FM device, including how to switch programs, adjust the volume, and change the batteries.

7) Batteries. You don’t want your child to suddenly be stuck with a dead hearing aid at school. Help your child to always be prepared by keeping an extra pack of batteries in their locker, and another pack with the teacher and/or nurse.

8) Transportation. If your child takes the bus to school, let the bus company and driver know about their hearing loss. You can request that they be seated close to front, with someone they know who can be their “buddy” in the case of an emergency.

Contact us at Orange County Physicians’ Hearing Services. Our team is here to support your child as they begin a new school year!