Treatment of sensori-neural deafness is medically irreversible. So aids have to be used. There are three types of aids to help people hear well. The most common aid is the post-aural hearing aid. It comes in all different sizes so a small baby to an elderly person could wear it. It fits behind the ear and is nearly unseen. The smaller aid-in the ear hearing aid is very small. This cannot be seen unless indicated. This is normally used in teenagers and adults. It would be easily lost. So I would not think the health boards would think it was the most sensible aid for Lisa. The last aid is the body-worn hearing aid. It is very big and noticeable. A strap on a child’s waist and then a wire to the ear attaches it. It gives the better hearing compared to the smaller aids. I feel the post-aural hearing aid would be best for Lisa. As if you look at her age and she will already feel different, with her impairment. The smaller aid that she could cope with would be the post-aural. Lisa being a girl may feel more comfortable if the aid is not seen. She could grow her hair over her ears so the aid was hidden.
Lisa may talk more loudly than necessary, she may not respond to average sound levels but responses to louder sounds. She will experience language problem, as understandable speech pattern both to and from Lisa. Sign language will build on parent-child relationships to have appropriate communication. Special training could be taken such as language acquisition, auditory training, perceptual motor training or speech therapy to name a few.
Lisa’s language development maybe delayed. It is vital that early years practitioners work closely with Lisa. In some cases it is the early years workers, which make the first stages of the diagnosis. As parents may not see a loss of hearing just lack of response from child. But as being deep in concentration or naughtiness. Lisa may miss some language what is said to her. Lisa’s overall development has a strong link to her language development. Cognitive development will therefore be affected. Also lack of interest in formal group activities like story time or song time. Lisa needs language to communicate. There are two main types of signing language. Makaton, which is basic sign language. It is used for children that need simple structure and who have learning difficulties. Sign language is more complex in language. Lisa will be able to have greater use of language. Signing takes years to learn, so Lisa’s vocabulary will be limited. So gesture play and facial expression will be a vital part in communication. It would be a good idea for her family to learn to sign.
Lisa would need to get a proper hearing aid, which may cost the family money. The family may get funds for this from Local Education Authorities (LEA). Lisa will work with a specialist called an Audiologist to measure the hearing problem. When Lisa is doing activities, she will have a key worker at nursery, this will enable her to reach her full potential. They will co-ordinate all aspects of her development. There are different groups and clubs Lisa could join. These could be especially for hearing impairments or for children who need special education. Such as blindness, visually impairment ect. So they get some extra help. These groups will be able to look at the holistic approach to Lisa’s development.