The Invisible Disability

Children Hearing Impairment and Learning to Speak

Because hearing impairment isn't immediately visible, most people don't understand how serious the consequences can be, especially for children.

Without adequate hearing the normal process of acquiring language will be seriously affected. If children don't have language, they don't have access to education. And without education, their opportunities in life are greatly curtailed.

Cochlear implants and advanced hearing aid technology have made a huge difference to outcomes for deaf children in only a few years.

Now, children with impaired hearing have a much better chance of learning to listen and speak well enough to complete their education alongside their hearing peers, and communicate with people around them.

But even that sort of technology is often misunderstood - some people believe that a cochlear implant will miraculously cure hearing, like glasses can fix eyesight.

You can help deaf children by:

• Facing the child directly, and don't shout or exaggerate your lip movements
• Keeping your hands away from your face - to enable the child to see all of your face, especially your lips
• Reducing background noise by turning off the television or radio
• Being sure that you are in a well-lit place, and that light is not shining into the eyes of the child with whom you are communicating
• If you are not making yourself understood, finding a different way of saying the same thing
• Being aware that the child who has impaired hearing may have difficulty understanding speech even with a hearing aid or cochlear implant.

Among the biggest challenges facing a child who is deaf is access to appropriate education opportunities.

The Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children provides services for children with sensory disabilities, from just a few months old, until the end of secondary school.

You can help by donating to this important work. In Australia, your donation will be tax deductible and your name and address details will be kept fully confidential.
About the Author

The Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children (RIDBC) is Australia's premier provider of educational services to children with hearing and/or vision impairment.More information about the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children can be found at www.ridbc.org.au.

Written by: Richard Wassell