Yesterday’s Sound Advice parent-teen workshop with Ellen Arthur, youth advisor to NDCS UK, brought together a group of mainstream-educated teens with hearing issues and their parents, to discuss solutions to recurring challenges that are encountered in school and local community environments. Read more: “Feeling Isolated? You’re Not Alone!” Isolation at school does not mean you
This poem was shared by a family whose son changed primary schools last September. He needed a snazzy way to tell his schoolmates and teachers about his hearing, and how to communicate with him. Here’s the result: I am Deaf and it’s Okay I am deaf, and it’s okay It’s not my fault – I
Some families turn a child’s hearing issues into a chance to find and learn language in all situations and environments, according to blogger mum, Kristen Johnson (“No Small Thing“), whose third child has hearing issues. Read SpeechBuddy: How To Help A Child With Hearing Loss Kristen’s top tips for parent-child communication at home: Turn off appliances
Newborn hearing testing in Ireland is progressing well, with potential impact on the lives of children eligible for unilateral or bilateral cochlear implants, the Medical Independent reports – but the system has follow-up ‘shortfalls’. Read: The Sound of Silence Early detection of hearing issues is essential for children to benefit from the cochlear implant programme, the MI quotes
How would you hear a hotel fire alarm in the night? Rebecca Dunne shares an experience from her family’s holidays. While staying in a hotel on holiday, I was woken in the middle of the night by my parents. They were next door and when the fire alarm sounded, only by chance had a key for
Like doctors, veterinarians who’re deaf can use adapted stethoscopes to listen to animal heartbeats and gauge vital signs during their daily work. For vets like Bethan Hindson (UK), demonstrating ability and addressing outdated attitudes led to acceptance to study veterinary practice at college – which should not be the case. Accessible, Remote Learning Is Key
Knowing outdoor pursuits are a real confidence-builder for children of all abilities, here´s a great initiative by Mountaineering Ireland and NDCS (UK). Read: Introducing deaf children to climbing An essential point in the piece is that education should be about the whole child, not just preparation for tests. The IDK team couldn´t agree more. More
“Hearing-aids are the avenue through which a child can listen [and learn]”, says US-based pediatric audiologist Jane Madell. Children who hear only what someone says directly in front of them, receive just 10 to 15 per cent of the information they need for incidental learning and language acquisition. Read: Helping Families Accept Hearing Technology Madell
NOTE: Since this post at end-2012, HSE access to bilateral pediatric cochlear implants is available to eligible children aged under 18 in Ireland, as a result of this campaign. Last month, the Irish Examiner revealed that over 350 children are awaiting second cochlear implants from Beaumont Hospital’s pediatric service, due to HSE caps on budgets for public
Sixteen-year-old Ellen Arthur, a youth advisor to NDCS (UK)who is at a mainstream school, will share strategies at a FREE workshop for handling potential social isolation and for building rapport with everyday contacts. Sound Advice welcomes expressions of interest from teens who are deaf and hard-of-hearing and their parents, for this free morning session. When: