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Hearing loss in children
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Congenital hearing loss (Part 1/2)
Hearing loss ranks among the most common disabilities present at birth worldwide. In the United States, 3 in 1000 infants are born with permanent hearing loss. Hearing loss at birth can be inherited or acquired due to genetic factors or can occur as a result of infection or other disruption in development. For parents, the diagnosis of hearing loss in their baby can be initially scary, confusing and depressing. The complexity of this condition, its impact on communication, and that fact that most parents have no experience with childhood hearing loss makes hearing loss a men - acing verdict. It is natural for parents to be fearful for the future of their child and wonder if many of their dreams for their child are now out of reach. Additionally, 40 percent of children with permanent hearing loss have a co-occurring condition. Parents may be dealing with the realities of two diagnoses at once.
Often the clear cause of hearing loss is not determined. This can cause parents to endure a range of emotions typical of the grief process. Did I cause this? This can’t be happening to me? Will my child ever achieve the dreams I have for him? The initial impact of the news can be numbing to a parent and many report not remembering a single word of the consultation after the audiologist reported that their child had hearing loss. After the initial shock, parents often go through a denial period, a defense mechanism where they may seek out other opinions on the diagnosis or believe hearing instruments are not needed by the child. It is natural to see the hearing loss as an unfair occurrence and to want to go back to a time when life’s events were more fair or better “under control”. As they grapple with this unexpected obstacle, parents often have the urge to fight or get angry. The occurrence of a disability with an unknown impact for their child makes them feel vulnerable and they may try searching for something to blame. Parents often go through periods of private bargaining to make a new reality. Ultimately, the powerful emotions families experience on the path to acceptance are normal and vary widely in scope and duration. This acceptance process is ongoing and feelings of grief may resurface numerous times throughout the child’s life.
Hopefully, during those first weeks and months after diagnosis parents gain knowledge and support, engage in early intervention services, and build some confidence that many of their hopes and dreams for this child are still within reach. Many parents find it helpful to join support groups or network with other families of children with hearing loss. The first-hand experience, empathy, and advice from other families helps parents navigate the web of decisions and professionals that will be involved in caring for their child. As parents navigate through acceptance of the hearing loss and the search for early intervention services, they are encouraged to communicate and interact with their baby as usual. One key to success will be integrating learning into everyday life, and a language-rich environment is vital to the communication development of the child.
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