1
Chapter 1
Hearing difficulties and
communication
All over the world there are many children who are either deaf or can
hear very little. Parents may never know what caused their child to be
deaf. The deafness may be the result of an ear infection,
an illness such as meningitis, an injury, or may be
inherited. For information about causes of deafness
see Chapter 15.
Like all children, children who are deaf or
cannot hear well need love, attention,
friendship, a sense of belonging, and an
education. Because they do not hear, these
children cannot learn language without help, and
without language they cannot communicate with
others, express themselves, or learn as easily as
other children.
But with early help, children who are deaf can learn a language just like
any child. So the most important resources for children who are deaf are
parents, family members, and friends who take the time to help them
learn to communicate.
With support, families of children with different
hearing abilities can create homes and
communities where their
children are accepted
and their strengths
recognized — where
they can make
friends, learn, and
lead happy lives.