subject: How to Read to a Child With a Hearing Loss [print this page] Planning a time to read to child who is deaf or hard of hearing may seem impossible. Try these strategies.
The parent or teacher who wants to read to a child with a hearing impairment must take several things into consideration. The nature and degree of the hearing loss as well as the child's communication method are necessary to evaluate.
Kind of Hearing Loss Impacts ReadingOne should consider the kind of hearing impairment the child has. Perhaps the child is hard of hearing. He may be able to hear some or most of the sounds that make up spoken language. It is important, however, to plan a shared reading time with minimal background noise. Also, the child should be wearing his hearing aids.
Parents can determine if the child is following or understanding by asking questions. Simple questions that can be answered with "yes" or "no" are not the best choices. It is obvious that someone answering a yes-no question has a 50-50 chance of getting the answer correct. Likewise, parents should not ask the child if he understands. The temptation is great to seem like one understands when really the opposite is true. The following kinds of questions can be helpful in checking for understanding:
whowhatwherewhenwhy (very difficult)Communication Method Impacts ReadingSome children, especially those with some hearing in the speech range, do well in a quiet reading setting. Others need additional help in following the reading. Perhaps the child communicates with sign language. Obviously, the parent or teacher will need to use the same during the reading session. Often deaf parents of deaf children sign on the book, so to speak. They place their hands directly next to the picture or print word as they sign and read.
Other children rely more heavily on speech reading. They will need to see the reader's mouth movements. Then, have an opportunity to look at the print word. In such a repetition, the child can associate the print word with the word.
Books for Kids With Hearing LossHearing loss is an invisible disability. However, its impact on language acquisition is tremendous. This is true for even small degrees of hearing loss. Therefore, it is important to choose a book that is the appropriate language level for the child. For some young children, the best choice might even be a naming book with isolated pictures and then a single word to label each. The best choice of book can be determined by talking with the child's teacher.
It is possible to plan a productive reading time with the child with a hearing loss. However, it is important to accommodate the child's communication and receptive language needs.
How to Read to a Child With a Hearing Loss
By: Center for Hearing Aids
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