FAQs

Q. My child has recently been diagnosed with a hearing loss, what next?

A. At the time of diagnosis, it is sometimes difficult to take in everything the specialist is saying to you. After the diagnosis you should be given an appointment for the fitting of hearing aids. The second appointment is a good time to ask any questions you may have as you would have had time to think about the situation. It may be helpful to write down questions as you think of them, and take them with you to this appointment. You can also make contact with your local DeafHear Resource Centre. We can offer help and support; answer any queries you may have; notify you of welfare benefits; provide peer support, confidential counselling; social events for the family; and information sessions.

Additionally, your child should now be seen by the ENT (ears, nose and throat) Department on a regular basis to maintain your child's hearing aids and for regular hearing tests.
Furthermore, when your child is identified with a hearing loss, the audiologist should make a referral to your local Education Department. The Education Department will arrange for a Visiting Teacher for the Deaf to visit you in your home. Their role is to support you, your child and the rest of the family. Visiting Teachers work with pre-school children to provide guidance and support for parents of Deaf or Hard of Hearing children. They inform parents of the implications of deafness for the acquisition of spoken language and Irish Sign language (ISL), inform parents of communication methods and liaise with audiology services. Visiting Teachers also monitor the child's language development and communication skills and give information and advice to parents on pre-school and school placements. At primary level the Visiting Teacher works with the principal and other staff to plan and put in place suitable supports for the child. They can provide tuition with special emphasis on language development and monitor the educational progress of the child.

Q. When my child was diagnosed with a hearing loss, I felt a variety of emotions. Is this usual?

A. Yes, this is a common reaction. Remember that it is not your child who has changed, but as a parent you may face a whole host of challenges that you were not expecting. All parents react differently, and experience a range of emotions when they discover their child is deaf: anger, frustration, sadness, grief, guilt, isolation, shock, fear of being unable to cope, or relief at finally confirming the deafness.

There is nothing wrong with any of these feelings. What is important is to acknowledge and share them. DeafHear has a network of regional and local representatives and local groups. DeafHear organises family events and conferences to help families understand and share experiences of childhood deafness and access local support.