Child Support: Diagnosis
The following information has been re-produced from the NDCS,( National Deaf Children's Society,) web site.
The information below tries to answer some of the initial questions you may have if your child has been identified as deaf.
1. Identification
I have been told that my child has a hearing loss, but I didn't understand everything the doctor told me. What can I do to get more information?
When you are first told that your child is deaf, it is often difficult to take in everything the ENT consultant or audiologist says to you. If you have not been offered another appointment, try to arrange a meeting with the consultant or audiologist again. You may find it helpful to write down questions as you think of them, and take them with you to your appointment.
You may hear terms such as 'deaf', 'hard of hearing', 'partially deaf', 'deafened or'hearing-impaired'. DEAF Lincs uses the term 'deaf' to mean all types and levels of hearing loss.
What are the different types of deafness?
There are two main types of deafness:
Sensori-neural deafness, or nerve deafness as it is sometimes called, is a hearing loss in the inner ear. This usually means that the cochlea in the inner ear is not working effectively.
Conductive deafness means that sound cannot pass through the outer and middle ear into the inner ear. This is often caused by blockages such as wax in the outer ear, or fluid in the middle ear (glue ear). Glue ear is a very common condition, especially in pre-school children.
It is possible for children to have a combination of sensori-neural and conductive deafness. It is also possible to have a permanent conductive deafness, but this is very rare.
Very few deaf children have no useful hearing. Most deaf children can hear some sounds at certain frequencies and loudness, and with the use of hearing aids they are often able to hear more sounds.
Why are there different tests?
There are a number of different ways of measuring hearing. The audiologist decides which tests to use. This depends on how old your child is and for which type of deafness the audiologist is testing.
The tests measure how much hearing your child has, and help to identify the type of deafness. If your child is very young, the audiologist may have to do a series of tests before they are able to give you all the information.
There are different degrees of deafness, which are often described as mild, moderate, severe or profound. Hearing levels are often described in terms of decibels. When you next visit the hospital with your child for a hearing test, ask the audiologist to explain the results to you, and request a copy of the results to keep. It is important for you to know the level of your child's hearing, as you may be asked for this information by teachers or others working with your child.
You may find the NDCS booklet Understanding deafness: an introductory guide to different types of deafness, hearing tests, audiograms, and communication and language useful.
After my child had been identified as deaf, I felt like I was in shock. Is this usual?
All parents react differently; they may experience a range of emotions when they discover that their child is deaf. Some parents may experience feelings of guilt, sadness, isolation and anger, or have a fear of being unable to cope. Some parents, who are deaf themselves, may feel happy because they and their child will share a common language and culture.
Some parents may feel a sense of relief at finally finding out about their child's deafness, and then feel able to move on and start accessing the help and support available.
Remember that it is not your child who has changed. Whatever your feelings, it is important to acknowledge and share them. When you are ready, you may want to build up a network of support from family and friends, and from your local education, health and social services. Your Local Deaf Children's Society is a good place to meet other parents of deaf children. For details of services and groups in your area, or to talk to someone in confidence, ask to speak to our family support worker.