for mothers of hearing impaired children

Children suffering from hearing impairment need early identification and intervention for proper rehabilitation, which can be done best by the mother by becoming a link between rehabilitation professionals and the child, an audiology expert said on Sunday.
“Hearing is prerequisite for a child’s speech language development. This could be severely hampered in the absence of hearing ability. Here mothers can play a very important role. Mother spends the most time with the child. Hence she can identify the handicap in the child and approach professionals like ENT specialist or pediatrician for help,” Reader and Head, Department of Audiology, Ali Yavar Jung National Institute for the Hearing Handicapped, Rajeev R Jalvi told Sakal Times.
The national institute is an autonomous institute under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, based in Mumbai. Jalvi was in the city to attend a programme on hearing disability organised by city-based NGO Cochlea Pune.
“As soon as the disability is detected, the child should be given a hearing aid. Then pictorial depiction of everyday activities and their physical imitation is the best way to teach the child. For example, regarding brushing teeth, mother should give a running commentary of the activity involving in the brushing activity explaining each action in detail and imitate it before the child. Then get the child repeat the process with her,” Jalvi said.
Similarly for animal or bird sounds, she should show pictures of the animal or bird or a film based on animals. Show the association between object and the sound by showing it and pronounce the sound, he said.
“It is the birthright of every child to get a hearing aid by six months of age. Parents should ensure that by the first birthday, the child is able to pronounce at least 10 to 15 words,” he said, adding the mother should also involve other family members in the rehabilitation process.
According to the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) survey of disabled people in 2002, three million children were found hearing impaired between 0 to 4 years.
“This is a very high number. It signifies that society is not serious in finding a solution. There are 70 affected children born everyday in a district with 25 lakh population. There is 70 to 80 per cent delay in intervention due to lack of awareness and resources,” the expert said.
Source: http://www.sakaaltimes.com/2009/04/27142828/Mothers-role-vital-for-hearin.html