Newly Diagnosed Hearing Loss

K.,

It has already been said, but I'll also say that Sign Language is a big help. It has helped my family in many ways. My daughter is a late developer in her speech and it has helped her to communicate. There is almost nothing more stressing than not being able to communicate with your child. Not only has it helped my daughter, but when my mother or I loose our voice (which is not all that often), we use sign language to help our voices heal faster. The only problem is that you have to have someone that understands it. I am still looking into getting my interpretation degree and I highly recommend Sign Language for anyone. Good Luck and hope this helps you.

God Bless

My heart goes out to you and your family.
Start with this support and information group.http://www.hearingexchange.com/articles/mychild.htm
Call Galludet University for contacts and information in and around Glen Burnie
Check out assistive Devices for her elementary school and ask the social Worker or school counselor for help. Also, have the hearing specialists write letters to help your daughter to receive special help within the classroom (sitting in front of class to avoid extra noise, etc). Ask the teachers to help provide these things- that way your daughter will not feel "different" in any way. She has functioned very well up to this point- so by removing distractions and providing some extra support- she will continue to do well in school. Best of luck.

Have you talked to her school? An audilogist would be the first person I would contact (if that wasn't the person who diagnosed her with a hearing lost) Every county has different resources, but many resources may be available to you. Has it affected her schooling in any way?

Hello, I am a Deaf Mother of a Deaf 3 1/2 YO son. I suspect I was born hearing but lost my hearing somewhere before the age of 3 when my parents found out I was deaf. I have good speech and can still hear some. A good place to get all around information would be at Gallaudet University. This is a World Reknown University for the Deaf located in Washington, DC. I attended school for my BS degree and now my son attends Kendall Demonstration Elementary School for the Deaf. Gallaudet has a research center where you can get information on all kinds of services. When looking for information, please be open to all kinds. Doctors have a tendancy to gear you to one area which would try and keep your child "hearing" when in fact she's now DEAF. This does not mean you cannot continue what life you have had all these years with her. One thing I would like you to consider is learning sign language. This will NOT hinder her progress in any shape or form. There will be people who will contradict that. Here's a link to several places or schools in Maryland/DC that can help you.

Gallaudet University:
www.gallaudet.edu

Kendall School information:
http://clerccenter.gallaudet.edu/

Maryland School for the Deaf:
http://www.msd.edu/contactus/index.htm

I hope this helps. You may feel free to contact me if you wish.
D.

K., I'm a special ed teacher, and I've had a few students with moderate to severe hearing loss. You need to make sure the school knows of your daughter's diagnosis. They'll need to give her something called an IEP, which stands for Individualized Education Plan, and qualify her for special ed services. Although this might not sound like what you want, it will be a big help to her. For example, you'll be able to personally select her teachers at school. You'll have a lot more input as to what happens, in her education, and she'll be given a lot of advantages she otherwise would not have.

K., what kind of hearing loss, low frequency, high frequency/ both/ one ear both ears? how is her language? what did they say caused the hearing loss/ is it senso-neural or caued by frequent ear infections. is it permanent etc
asking all these questions because i have gotten to learn something about this issue. one of my daughters has mild (which fluctuates) high frequency senso-neural hearing loss in one ear. but when this whole thing started for us they weren't talking about hearing aids, they were talking about cochlear implants. now, we don't need them as she has started talking and improved a lot in that respect and one ear functions normally.
but for the hearing aids we were told there is no need for them if one ear functions.
if you're dealing with permanent hearing loss, i'd recommend dealing with inner ear specialists only. who then would be able to explain what is needed or what is the best option for your daughter.
i am feeling you on this. it is a very touchy subject in our household.
good luck to you and your family

Hello K.,

American Sign Language is a good place to start. I'm deaf since birth and attended the mainstream Elementary School, then Maryland School for the Deaf, and then back to mainstream high school.

I attended UMUC (University Maryland of University College) and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree. UMUC provided all the interpreters and reasonable accommodations with no problems. I was able to do very well and graduated. :)

I hated it up at Maryland School for the Deaf. Try check into your local School Board of Education to see if they could provide IEP, interpreters, reasonable accommodations, etc. I do not recommend sending your daughter to school for the deaf unless you have to do it after checking into your other options first.

Deaf kids at the school for the deaf are very mean to "new kids" and alot of time, the deaf kids who grew up at the school for the deaf are "tight knit" group and would not let newcomers into the group.

Gallaudent University may be a good place to start because they will give you all the information you need to help your daughter to do well in education and outside of home.

My best advice is check out all of your options first before you do anything. Gallaudet can help give you information of where to purchase TTY, VP, alarm clock, etc.

I'm sorry to hear about your daughter's hearing loss and I wish you the best.