It’s back-to-school season, so it is time to stock your child’s backpack with all the essentials. If your child has hearing loss, they’ll need a few extra items and a little more preparation. We review tips on how to prepare for your child’s upcoming school year below.
Stock Their Backpack
In addition to paper, pencils, sharpeners and erasers, your child will benefit from having the following items on hand:
- Extra batteries. If your child’s hearing aid batteries die part way through the day, they’ll be left unable to hear their teacher, aide and friends. Having extra batteries can prevent this problem.
- Cleaning kit. In general, hearing aid cleanings happen at night. But if your child’s devices get dirty on the playground or impacted with wax during the day, it can distort the sound. Pack a cleaning kit just in case this happens.
- Lanyard/clip. It’s a good idea to attach your child’s hearing aids to their clothes so if they fall out, they won’t get lost or stepped on.
- Basic manual. Hearing aids are technological devices, and sometimes they can malfunction. If your child has a basic manual with them, their teacher or aide can troubleshoot the problem.
- If all else fails, a notebook can help your child communicate with their instructors or friends throughout the day.
Talk to Teachers & Coaches
It’s important to prepare your child’s teachers and coaches at Santa Fe Public Schools regarding your child’s hearing loss and communication needs prior to the school year starting. During this meeting, you can also show them how your child’s hearing aids and any assistive listening devices work.
Get an Updated Audiogram
In order for your child to hear their best this school year, make sure they get an updated audiogram. Annual hearing tests ensure that any changes to your child’s hearing are compensated for, whether by reprogramming their devices or upgrading them.
Prepare Them for Questions
Kids are curious and may ask your child about their hearing loss or hearing aids. Help your child practice answers to these questions so they can communicate about their hearing loss with confidence.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Southwestern Hearing & Balance today.