Accepting Your Child’s Hearing Loss

When you first realize that your child is suffering from hearing loss, you will probably feel shocked and helpless. It may be difficult to accept what the doctors tell you. This is a perfectly normal reaction, and it takes time to become informed about hearing loss and accept your reality.

Every parent experiences a variety of emotions when coping and learning about their child’s hearing disability. A parent may feel isolated, especially when no other child with hearing loss lives nearby. A parent may deny that there is a hearing deficit. A parent may experience depression and shame. Frustration, anger and confusion are others feelings that parents experience, particularly when medical and educational support seem to be no where. I’ve met many parents who hide their feelings and have difficulty coping with the real issues at hand.

Grief is real. I am a parent who has also experienced grief. It is not something any of us should shoe away. We have to face it. Hearing loss in our children is not our fault, even though other family members and people may blame us. We are not alone in the feelings we experience, which is why we need each other for support.

It is important to realize feelings shift and change, as does our perception of hearing loss and even our child’s potential. These things are normal. Allowing these emotions are more accepted when parents work together and get information to better understand how to help their children. After some time, an understanding of hearing loss becomes more tangible, and parents learn to care for their littles ones with determination.  Everyone’s personal situation is different of course, but if others can be there for us, then why not listen and learn?

A task then becomes how to make the best of a situation, how to lean in and accept what God has given us: a child with blue or brown eyes, who laughs and cries, who grows into their own person. A child’s daily life and future depend on how parents envision their future. Ask yourself, what are your beliefs?  Values? Where do you want to see your child in 20 years?

All parents have an opportunity to learn and grow from this remarkable and gifted journey.

Support is available and parents should ask many questions about hearing loss. The best approach in my opinion is to be open-minded, to seek help from as many people as you can. Audiologists, doctors, other parents in the same situation are great resources. Family and friends who support you can also be pillars of strength until you get your footing on a path that feels right for you and your child. Learn the facts. Explore what resonates best with you and your child.

I’ve found that sharing my feelings and personal situations helps off load the tension and helps me develop an inner confidence to advocate for the needs of my children. In other words, talking about it prepares me to advocate for them. It is immensely critical to talk with other parents of children with hearing loss and learn about their experiences too. Family and friends may also provide emotional support. I’ve found strength in knowledge, maybe you can too.

Remember, you are not the first or only parent to have a child that is living with hearing loss. And just think this: children are often better able to cope than you might realize.

Information from this article should be cited/referenced as: “Joanne Travers, Partners for A Greater Voice, Inc. Content derived from Essential Programs to Coach and Empower (2016). Ipswich, Massachusetts U.S.A. www.greatervoice.com”