newborn deafness

Melia - posted on 04/01/2011

My daughter failed hearing test at the hospital. I thought what am I going to do. My child will not be able to do what everyone else can do. She was diagnosed hard of hearing. I was so upset and devastated. It is a loss of something and the audiologist told me that it was okay to grieve, because it is a loss. But within time I understood that I was stronger than I thought and that their is a reason for everything. My child got hearing aids at 6 weeks of age and she is such a delight and blessing. She is different for a reason and one day she will do something great. She is in 8yrs. and is doing so well in school she could skip a grade. She is so social she talks to everyone. It is very hard for a parent taking a different path than expected and having harder task in ways than others. Your child will bloom and just give you the best feeling ever inside. Grieve and know it will be okay and move forward.

Delani - posted on 03/04/2011

don't know where you live but google Hands and Voices, it is a wonderful organization that has Guide by your Side. This is a parent that you can meet with from around you that has been there done that... I just applied for a position with them... I have 5 children 18yr girl(hearing), 13yr boy (hearing) 6yr old Girl (Deaf, Severe to Profound hearing loss), 4 yr old girl ( hearing) and a 2yrs girl( Deaf, Profound Hearing loss) when I was told at the Hospital that she failed her hearing eval I was ok with it. there were worse things that could have happened... right? I was fine till on the way home from the hospital it suddenly hit me, My daughter may never here her Grandmother sing... I broke down and cried. I was devastated... She may not be able to hear articulation of words but she has perfect pitch!!! People will make the comments (my family) it could have been something much more worse... yes it could have but this is bad enough... really they do mean well... I am now on the other side of the grief (though every once and awhile it will still hit me...) to give you hope... my 6yr old is in first grade, she reads at a !st grade level, she is starting her 2nd grade Dolch words. she excels in math, We do work with her in the evening with her reading and spelling words (normally gets 100% she gets along well with her mainstream peers. She also has 1 friend close to her age he has a CI, they challenge each other and compete. My 2 yr old signs (ASL) over 50 words independently and understands far more... it has been much easier the 2nd time around since we used ASL from the get go... less temper tantrums. and they are both verbal even with there severe hearing loss...

words of advice...
over emphasis with facial expressions when ever your child makes noise this will keep them vocal even when they can't hear themselves.
you know your child best... always remember this!!!
Look up Susan Elliot Deaf and read about her... Look up D-PAN
Your child will be able to do anything they put there mind to, it maybe a little more challenging but with good support from family they can fly...
Embrace your child for who they are and will become

Enjoy them for they are a gift from God...

I cannot wait to see what my girls will accomplish...

If you would like to talk more feel free to contact me... I had no one around me as we live in a small town... I know how hard it can be... One of the reason why I am becoming a Guide by your Side...

Kim - posted on 03/02/2011

Rachael--
When my son was diagnosed hard of hearing, I was devastated. His speech therapist told me that it was okay to grieve, because it is a loss. You have to be strong, but at the same time, you are allowed to have your emotions. Things will change from your original expectations. The therapist told me that one of her parents said that the first thing that came to mind when she got the news was that her little girl wouldn't get asked out to prom. Sounds silly, I know, but we've all been there. I remember wondering if my son would be able to drive because he might not hear the traffic or emergency vehicles.
We're human-- you're allowed to have your breakdowns. But just know that this isn't a death sentence and there doesn't have to be a dark cloud over your lives. My son is a very happy 10 year old and we are all doing great.
Contact me if you just need to chat. This can be a very isolating time right now.
Kim