My Battle Call | ​Things I Wish People Knew About My Deaf Kids
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​Things I Wish People Knew About My Deaf Kids

They may look normal, but they don’t hear normal.

If you speak in a quiet voice, they can not hear you.

When they are in a place with background noise, it is tough to hear (outdoors, a gym, a restaurant, on the playground, near the ocean).

If they don’t hear you the first time; don’t get frustrated. Just repeat it. No need to shout.

People who are deaf or hard of hearing make very different choices; there is not a one-size-fits-all way to navigate your personal experience.

Avoid covering your mouth when you speak; they can’t read your lips if they can’t see your mouth.

Tap them on the shoulder before you speak to them.

If you talk from across the room or with your back turned, they will miss most or all of what you say.

Don’t leave them out, by saying, “never mind.”  It’s isolating.

When the magnet on the device is off, the cochlear implant does not work, and they can’t hear anything.

Be patient.  Frustration cuts. Kids who are deaf often read body language better than the average person.

Most people born deaf never know the cause.

Listening with implants is exhausting. Kids need time to decompress, or they will act out. It is harder than it looks.

Understanding social nuances is really challenging when you are hard of hearing.

In the end, they are resilient, adaptable kids living in a hearing world trying to find their way. 

Find more like this in my new book!

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8 Comments
  • The Undomestic Goddess
    Posted at 21:59h, 24 September Reply

    I have a friend who is partially deaf and evidently, when she was young, the powers that be wanted her to go to a special school. Her mother, an EC teacher, refused and she attended regular public school. I swear nothing at all has held her back!

  • Mel
    Posted at 03:26h, 09 July Reply

    Would you mind if i took some of your points and included them in a document for my 3.5 year old son’s daycare? It would be great for them to put it up on the wall as a constant reminder to be mindful of these things. I will reference your site.

    • valligideons
      Posted at 03:59h, 09 July Reply

      This piece is available as a FREE download by just subscribing to my website. Once you plug in your email, you will get a link to the download that you can print! Hope that helps.

  • Amy Bellairs
    Posted at 13:36h, 09 July Reply

    I am a special education teacher for students in grades K-2 and will have a new K student with CI this fall. He is very new to getting his 2nd CI and is learning sign. Do you have any advice on how I and his other teachers can support him in the school environment? He will have a TOD working with him 10 hours per week.

  • Janine Davis
    Posted at 22:42h, 09 July Reply

    This is it in a nutshell. Even as an adult with hearing loss for so long it’s still hard to understand some social nuances lol.

    • valligideons
      Posted at 22:44h, 09 July Reply

      I am glad you found it useful. I hope this helps spread awareness and understanding!

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