224 appendix a: hearing aids
Start using the hearing aid in
a quiet environment to help
your child become aware of the
new sounds she can hear. Help
her notice sounds by bringing
your child closer to the sound or
point the sound out to her.
You didn’t know
that washing
dishes makes
sounds, did you?
How to know if your child is hearing new sounds
Do not expect your child to react to sounds immediately. Your child
will have to learn to be aware of sounds after his hearing aid is put on.
Children’s reaction to sound depends on their age
and how much they can hear.
You may have to watch carefully to see your
child’s reactions. She may:
• blink her eyes or stop what she is doing.
• enjoy playing with toys that make noise.
Tuan Jai doesn’t seem
to be hearing anything.
She doesn’t look at the
spoon when I tap it on
the bowl.
• cry when she hears a sound.
• look up or turn around when she
hears a sound.
It may be weeks or months before
you see your child react to sound.
Help your child understand the new sounds she is hearing
Sonal, I know
there is a lot of
noise, but try to
hear Mr. Murthy
talking to you.
Even if a hearing aid helps your
child hear sounds, she may not
understand the sounds she is
hearing right away. Your child
will need practice listening to
sounds with the hearing aid. See
Chapter 6 for activities to help
your child listen.
At first, she may find it uncomfortable to
hear sounds, because she is used to living
in a quieter world.
Helping Children Who Are Deaf (2004)