Raising Kids with Cochlear Implants
Finding out that your child has hearing loss can be an overwhelming experience. As a parent, you may feel scared, frustrated, and confused about where to start if you choose cochlear implants for your child. The good news is that you’re not alone! Kids with cochlear implants are so resilient, and I find that we often learn from watching their experience!
I know that when I was first faced with raising kids with cochelar implants, I was overhwhelmed. There is no hearing loss in my family, and getting the news that I would be raising kids with hearing loss felt like it came out of nowhere.
I had many questions, and I’ll admit that I had a hard time envisioning the life that my child would have with cochlear implants.
But, as time went on it got easier! And I learned so much from other parents and our speech therapists along the way.
Now I’m happy to pass on all of the information that I’ve learned over the past 7 years of raising two kids with cochlear implants.
In this blog post, we will discuss practical tips for raising kids with cochlear implants. I hope that it encourages you as you enter into this unique journey with your child!
Kids with cochlear implants
A hearing loss diagnosis for your child could mean a variety of things. Hearing loss is a continuum and everyone experiences it differently.
Primarily, it indicates some level of difficulty in your child’s ability to hear. If your child is a candidate for cochelar implants, then they most likely have profound hearing loss in one or both ears.
Making the choice to get cochlear implants for your child is not easy and shouldn’t be taken lighlty. I wrote about the benefits of cochelar implants to help you make an informed decision for your child.
I personally love having kids with cochlear implants because they have such a unique place in the world! My kids can hear all of the wonderful sounds that the world offers.
They can also take of their cochlear processors and have silence if needed as well.
One thing to remember about kids with cochlear implants, is that there is the potential for each child to hear differently with the cochlears.
It all depends on each person’s ear anatomy that indicates how well or fast the sound will travel from the cochlear processor to the ear.
That being said, cochelar implants can be a wonderful tool for your child to hear!
Tips for raising kids with cochelar implants
The moment you receive a diagnosis of hearing loss for your child, it may feel like you’re heading into uncharted territory.
I know that I initially felt very unprepared when we got the news that our baby could not hear.
However, as our baby grew, we also grew in the knowledge that we needed to raise him. And that will certainly be the same for you and your family!
The following tips are intended to provide a roadmap that can guide your initial steps of getting cochlear implants for your child.
Remember, every child and every family’s journey is unique. These tips are merely a starting point on your journey with cochlear implants.
Let’s explore the steps you can take to ensure your child thrives with cochelar implants!
Educate Yourself About Cochlear Implants
First and foremost, it’s essential to do some research about what a cochlear implant is and how it works.
If you were like me, I had never heard of a cochlear implant until I was told by our Audiologist that my first baby was a candidate to get them!
You have the option to get a cochelar implant for your child, or to raise your child as a truly Deaf person.
Either decision is good. It all depends on what you decide that you want for your child and your family.
I wrote about cochlear implants vs sign language to help guide you on how each lifestyle is different and the pros and cons of each decision.
It also helps to read books from the parent perspective on raising kids with cochlear implants. These books will give you encouragement and practical tips.
Through the Fog: Navigating life’s challenges while raising kids with hearing lossRaising Kids with Cochlear Implants: Personal Narratives from a Family’s Journey
It also helps to find out about the different support services available in your area for kids with cochelar impplants. These could be schools for the deaf and hard of hearing, sign language classes, and speech therapy offices. Your Audiologist or Speech Therapist can help with this!
find local support groups of parents
Having a strong and reliable support system in place can truly make all the difference in navigating this new reality.
Consider reaching out to your family and friends for emotional support. You can also become a part of local support groups specifically designed for parents of children with hearing loss.
Connecting with parents who have gone through similar experiences can provide invaluable emotional support, as well as the opportunity to learn from their personal journeys.
They can also help you navigate the maze of professionals and services available for your kids. This helps to guide you towards the right experts who can provide the necessary assistance and support.
Remember, you are not alone on this journey. By seeking out and leveraging the support of others, you can make getting cochlear implants for your child a little easier on yourself!
If you’re looking for support groups in your area, Hands and Voices for hearing loss is a great website to start looking as they have chapters of their organization for parents in many states.
Learn to Advocate for Your Child
As a parent, you are your child’s biggest advocate in their school system and out among family and friends.
When raising kids with cochlear implants, it’s important to make sure they are well- supported in school.
Arrange a meeting with your child’s teacher and special education team to create an IEP and ensure they have the necessary services to support you child’s education.
The ABCs of Inclusion: A Disability Inclusion Book for KidsComplete IEP Guide, The: How to Advocate for Your Special Ed Child
It will also help to meet with your healthcare provider or speech therapists and ask them what accomodations your child might need in their classroom.
Often, the therapists can make formal recommendations in writing, which helps you advocate better for the educational resources that your child needs.
Encourage Communication With Your Child
Communication is key when it comes to helping your kids with cochlear implants. If your child is older, they might feel lost and a little scared too as they learn to navigate a world in which they will hear differently.
It can also feel weird for a child to be the only kids in the classroom wearing a hearing device. Some kids thrive and are really confident about it. While others are a bit self- concious about being labeled as “different”.
And so. it’s important to reassure your child and keep the lines of communication open to best support them in getting cochlear implants.
Remind your child that everyone is unique and different, and their hearing loss doesn’t have to define who they are as a person!
ASL Flash Cards – 200 American Sign Language Flash Cards for Beginners, Kids, Teens and AdultsSigning Made Easy (A Complete Program for Learning Sign Language. Includes Sentence Drills and Exercises for Increased Comprehension and Signing Skill)
Embrace Your Child’s Hearing Loss
Although receiving a hearing loss diagnosis can initially be overwhelming and filled with uncertainties, it’s essential to shift your focus towards the positive aspects of your child and their unique needs.
Embrace your child’s hearing loss as a part of their identity and celebrate their strengths, achievements, and milestones along the way.
Let us advocate together for a world where there is not only greater awareness and understanding of hearing loss but also genuine inclusion and support for those with hearing differences!
Raising kids with cochlear implants can be an emotional journey. However, there are practical tips and resources available to guide you.
Each child’s journey is unique, and with the right interventions, accommodations, and support, your child can thrive!
Don’t forget to download your free cochlear implant surgery packing list!
more resources for cochelar implants
Encouragement for a Hearing Loss Diagnosis
