2 hearing difficulties and communication
Why communication is important
A child learns language very quickly in the first years of life. It is
important that a child’s hearing problem be recognized early and that he
receives effective help. If not, the best years for learning communication
skills may be lost (birth
Communication happens when we
to age 7). The earlier a
understand what is being said to us
child begins to learn a
and respond, and when we express
language and to practice
our thoughts, needs, and feelings so
communicating, the more he
they can be understood.
can learn.
The loneliness of a deaf child
For a child, being deaf can be
like living with a glass wall
around him. A child who is
deaf can see people talking
but he cannot understand
what they are saying.
People can interact with each
other because they have learned
a language to communicate with. But a deaf child cannot learn a
language that he does not hear. This means many deaf children grow up
not being able to learn or use a language to interact with others around
them.
People have a strong need to communicate with each other and to build
relationships. When a child does not have the communication skills
to relate to other people, and when other people do not know how to
communicate or relate with him, he may be left alone most of the time,
even by the people closest to him.
After a while he becomes
My neighbors don’t
socially isolated.
like to look after
Akhila when I have
to go to the market.
They say she doesn’t
understand anything
they say.
Sometimes other
children come
running behind us
and call Habib bad
names. I wish I could
protect him from all
this meanness.
Helping Children Who Are Deaf (2004)