This academic year, many children have returned to school virtually. While remote education may be a safer option for some, it is not without its drawbacks—particularly for children who are hearing impaired.
Enrique R. Perez, MD, MBA, an expert in managing adult and child’s hearing disorders and Director of Otology at The Mount Sinai Hospital, provides advice for parents who are concerned about their child’s hearing when learning remotely.
What are the signs my child may have trouble hearing?
To figure out if your child has hearing issues, I recommend that parents or guardians ask themselves a series of questions:
- Do you find yourself raising your voice or calling out your child’s name several times before they respond?
- Is your child not startled by loud noises?
- Do you notice that your child often turns their head or shifts their body position when listening to others or the TV?
- Does your child raise the volume on the television, computer, or their phone to an uncomfortable level?
- Is your child struggling with academic work?
- Is your toddler not learning to speak at the expected rate?
- Does your child have a history of recurring ear infections?
If the answer to any of these questions is yes, your child may be struggling to hear. Pediatricians often perform routine screening for hearing loss and they may be able to uncover even subtle degrees of hearing loss.
I am concerned about taking my child for a check-up during the COVID-19 pandemic. Can I delay their hearing exam?
Deciding whether to seek medical care during the pandemic can be difficult, but delaying care always comes with some risk. Delaying a hearing check-up is especially worrisome for children with significant hearing loss who are not being aided with a hearing aid or other hearing device. This is true for children of all ages. Young children, learning to speak may experience delays in achieving appropriate communication milestones, and those who are speaking well but cannot hear properly may fall behind in school. Studies have shown that these setbacks may be irreversible and may limit your child’s academic achievement.
However, I understand the concern, especially if your child has a condition that makes them more vulnerable to COVID-19. Fortunately, most healthcare facilities follow strict guidelines to screen for and minimize the risk of contracting the virus. If you are apprehensive, I suggest that you contact the facility and ask about their protocols.
How can I help my child who is struggling with hearing issues?
The first step in helping your child is to schedule a proper evaluation by a doctor. You might start with your child’s pediatrician, who can screen for hearing issues, and then, if appropriate, can refer you to a specialist for diagnosis and treatment.
Additional ways that you can help a child struggling with hearing issues include:
- Minimizing background noise when you are speaking to your child.
- When talking to your child, face them directly and speak slowly and clearly. Try not to shout as that can distort your speech and make your child feel uncomfortable.
- Make sure your child’s teachers and school are aware of your child’s hearing issue so that they can help.
- Address any insecurity your child may feel regarding their hearing issues as stigma could prevent them from using devices, such as hearing aids. You want to help your child to be comfortable and confident when used a hearing assistive device, especially during these formative years.
How should I set up my child’s space for remote learning?
Remote learning can create new challenges—and some opportunities—for educating children with difficulty hearing. With the proper set-up and equipment, remote learning may be easier than in-person schooling for a child with hearing difficulties.
The first step is to give your child a quiet area in the home for schooling. They will also need a computer with a reliable internet connection and the ability to adjust the volume.
A strong, stable connection enables your child to see the teacher clearly. Importantly, it allows them to see visual cues—such as facial expressions—which are important communication tools for everyone, especially those with hearing loss. And, being able to adjust the volume enables your child to mute other students, allowing them to focus on the teacher. Your child may also benefit from using headphones, including noise cancelling ones, which are normally not allowed in a classroom.
How else can I help my child with remote learning?
I encourage parents and guardians to build a relationship with their child’s teacher. Often, teachers are the first to notice that a child may be struggling to hear. But fostering a connection with your child’s teacher may be easier with in-person schooling than remote learning. Additionally, it helps to stay involved with your child’s education so that you don’t miss any of the early signs of hearing loss that could compromise their ability to learn.