1. UNILATERAL HEARING LOSS Tips for children with Unilateral Hearing Loss

2. What is Unilateral Hearing Loss Loss of hearing in one ear – can be mild to profound (deaf). Can be permanent or temporary depending on the reason for the loss. Some hearing loss can not be explained as the inner workings of the ear are very delicate and cannot be seen. They may require a hearing aid in their hearing ear to support their hearing.

3. Tips for Home Ensure your child can see you or who ever is speaking – they will possibly lip read to gain added meaning. If they don’t hear you, tap the child on their hearing side to gain their attention. Speak clearly. Keep background noise to a minimum – this helps your child locate where you are when you call their name. Give plenty of time out in a quiet environment – maybe their bedroom. Listening for the child is very tiring and short rests or time out can rejuvenate them during the day. Sit your child at the table where their hearing ear is exposed to most of the conversation. Have your child arrange their bedroom to expose their hearing ear to most of the room when they are sleeping.

4. Tips for Preschool Talk to the teacher or person in charge and let them know what is happening for your child; each session if necessary. Tell the child’s friends and their parents so they understand to get the child’s attention before speaking. Ask to be informed if they have a head knock – as they only have one hearing ear we want to protect it. If your child is confident enough they may want to talk about their hearing with the children in the session and show their hearing aid or how their ears work. Don’t be afraid to talk about their hearing as your child will take the lead from you. Their confidence with their hearing loss mirrors yours.

5. Tips for your child outside the home Give your child lots of opportunities to talk for themselves to gain confidence and resilience e.g. at an appointment, ask your child to go to the reception desk and say who they are and why they are there. Have ear plugs or ear muffs available to use if you are going to a noisy venue e.g. Guy Fawkes display (protect the hearing that they do have). As soon as they are able, let them explain to people what others can do to help them hear better in certain situations e.g. out for dinner at a restaurant, swap seats so their hearing ear is exposed to as much of the table conversation as possible. Sleepovers – have the child or you explain to the parents that they will need to be woken in an emergency, as your child may not hear a smoke detector. In crowds or groups of people it is very hard for your child to locate sound so do not think they are being rude if they take themselves off to the side of the group – the noise is probably very loud for them. Learning some basic NZSL for group situations can be handy when you want to talk to your child and they cannot hear you across the room. Inform your child’s sports coach or extra curricular activity coach of your child’s hearing loss. They can buddy up another player in the team to ensure your child knows what is expected of them if they do not hear the instructions.

6. Tips for Classrooms Ensure your child sits on the correct side of the classroom so their hearing ear is to the sound. Ask the teacher to face the class when he/she is talking and not talk to the class with their back to them. Is there a Surround Sound system available in school – check that the teachers are using it. If not, ask for one to be installed and explain how important it is for not only your child but for all children and the teacher’s health. Ask the Principal to ensure that all relief teachers know how to use it. Ask for carpet or carpet squares to be installed in the classroom.

7. Tips for School Talk to your child’s teacher/s at school to see how they are coping with your child in their class. Remind them about your child’s hearing loss – they do forget. Check at the beginning of each school year that your child’s teacher knows your child has a hearing loss – sometimes their records are not read. Exam time – if an audio is required e.g. for a 2 nd language, remind the teacher about your child’s hearing loss so they can be seated at the most appropriate place.

8. General Tips Some children get sore necks or have eye strain at times due to turning their heads to hear – have your child checked by a professional if this happens. Look at getting supportive devices such as a vibrating alarm clock for under their pillow. NZFDC can help with some of the funding of these items. Check the battery in the smoke detector outside their bedroom regularly to ensure it works. Don’t be afraid to advocate for your child. They miss out on some things so do not be afraid to speak up on their behalf. If you don’t, no-one else will. When it comes time for your child to leave school – don’t let others put them off a particular career. Ensure they investigate it for themselves. There are lots of people that will put doubt in your child’s mind that they can’t do something because of their hearing loss. Don’t let their hearing loss define them! Embrace it as a part of who they are.