Supporting Your Child Who Is Deaf or Hard of Hearing

CCHAT prides itself on having a world-class staff of teachers, speech therapists, audiologists, and instructional aides who ensure that our students who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) get the best possible support on campus.

However, we know that a majority of learning occurs outside of school, at home, and with the child’s family. It is why parent education and support is such a huge component of the CCHAT program.

There are many ways that parents can build on what is taught in a structured, school setting and aid in the development of their child’s listening, language and independence skills. 

The Importance of Observing and Participating in Your Child's Learning

Why Campus Involvement Matters

CCHAT students work on a variety of critical listening, language, and educational elements, whether that is in a classroom or speech therapy room. The best way to see what your child who is DHH is working on is to observe these sessions and participate when the opportunity arises.

CCHAT encourages parents to watch speech therapy sessions and observe classroom lessons once a week. Seeing the activities first-hand gives parents insight into what areas need to be focused on and how these skills can be developed throughout their child’s daily life. There are also occasions when parents can participate in the lessons and develop their own ability to carry out communication-building exercises. 

CCHAT staff members strive to make all lessons accessible to accommodate each family’s schedule. Often, speech therapy and classroom observations are coordinated to allow parents to accomplish both in one visit. 

Staying Connected with Your Child’s Educational Team

Effective Communication Strategies with Teachers and Therapists

Visiting campus is a great way to glean tips and strategies for supporting your child’s education. However, even if work or other commitments keep you from attending classroom and speech sessions, maintaining a line of communication with educational staff is very important.

At CCHAT, lessons are tailored to each student's current level of development. Staff members can keep parents updated on the specific progress of their child. They can identify areas that need improvement and even provide tools and strategies that can be implemented into a daily routine at home. Regular check-ins with teachers, speech therapists, and audiologists are a great way to support the education of your child who is DHH. 

Incorporating Listening and Spoken Language (LSL) Strategies At Home

Everyday Activities that Foster Language Development

Every occasion is an opportunity to develop listening comprehension and elicit spoken language. At CCHAT, this includes snack time, recess, music class, art, and all standard educational activities during the school day. While at home, parents can do their best to incorporate LSL components into daily activities, such as breakfast or dinner time, wake-up and bedtime routines, and recreational activities. CCHAT staff members provide regular tips for making all at-home events learning opportunities for children who are DHH. 

The Impact of Daily Reading on Language Skills for Children who are DHH

Creating a Reading Routine for Success

Reading is one of the best ways to help your child who is DHH develop their language skills. Reading encourages listening for understanding and provides exposure to vocabulary, proper grammatical structures, and new experiences. Books and stories lead to conversations and spark imaginations. There are few activities that have a deeper impact on your child’s LSL development than reading.

Maintaining Audiological Integrity

Ensuring Hearing Equipment Functions Properly 

If your child who is DHH is trying to learn how to listen and develop spoken language, it is truly vital that their listening equipment is working properly. For younger children, this responsibility is largely carried by their parents or guardians. Parents can help with LSL development by ensuring that hearing aids and cochlear implants are working properly and providing their child with optimal sound. Listening check equipment should be used regularly to ensure sound quality is clear, and batteries should always be readily available to ensure consistent access to sound. If hearing-assistive technology (HAT) systems (commonly known as FM systems) are deemed beneficial for home use, make sure this technology is working and you are familiar with how to use it. CCHAT staff can help with this process. 

Attending regular audiological appointments goes hand-in-hand with these ideas, as your audiologist is a critical member of your child’s team and can alert you to imperfections in their equipment’s sound quality. Once sound integrity is confirmed, wear time for all waking hours should be the goal. 

Build a Supportive Network by Connecting with Other Families

The Benefits of Community Support in the DHH Journey 

The hearing loss journey has its ups and downs, and it’s important to know that you are not alone. Connecting with other families of children who are DHH serves several important functions. Fellow families provide a support system that can share tips and strategies, or simply be a sounding board for your ideas or concerns. While CCHAT is always available for support, it helps to know that there are other people on the same journey, and these connections can truly help you in the education of your child who is DHH.

CCHAT aims to give parents all of the tools they need to ensure success for their child, both on campus and at home. If you have a question regarding your child’s education, CCHAT encourages you to reach out via our contact page.