Suggestions for parents
For parents of preschool children with repeated middle
ear problems
(As recommended by N. Matkin, U. of Arizona, 1985.)
1. Listening comes first
Children with normal hearing spend their
first 12 to 18 months of life learning to listen before they begin to talk. With
repeated ear infections and a mild hearing loss, much of this important
listening time may have been lost. Therefore, helping your child develop good
listening skills is an essential first step in learning to talk.
2. Prevent a hearing loss
Children who have a history of repeated
middle ear problems often have a fluctuating or changing hearing loss. If your
child's hearing seems to change, don't wait; trust your intuition that something
is wrong. Take him/her to the doctor as soon as possible for treatment. Since
audiologists can evaluate the hearing of children even in preschool years, your
doctor may refer you for hearing tests. In many cases there is no indication of
pain or a temperature, even when there is fluid behind one or both eardrums.
Another reason not to wait.
3. Look and listen
Alert your child by calling his/her name before
you begin to talk. We all tend to stop, turn, then look and listen when we hear
our name. Children often do not respond if you talk to them while they are busy
playing or looking at something interesting.
4. Control distance
Even with a mild hearing loss, it is hard to
listen at a distance. Make certain that you are in the same room and no more
than 5 or 6 feet away from your child when you talk. At this distance, you give
the youngster the opportunity to both look and listen. Remember: the closer you
are, the louder your voice is.
5. Be a good model
Don't try to force your child to say words
clearly. You will only frustrate yourself and your child. Work on becoming a
good speech model for your youngster to imitate. For example, if your child
points to an empty glass and vocalizes, you might say: "You want milk." "I'm
getting the milk." "Here is the milk." This simple approach helps a youngster
both build better listening skills and expands his vocabulary. Again, make
certain your child is looking and listening as you talk to him/her.
6. Use praise, not criticism
When your child tries to talk, learn
to praise the effort. Don't criticize and act irritated. Children usually are
anxious to please. They would talk clearly if they could. So don't fall into the
habit of thinking the child is being stubborn, naughty, or lazy if his speech is
limited or not clear.
7. Learn to expand
Once your child is using single words or short
phrases, help him/her use sentences. For example, if he points and says "Car,"
you should expand what he says by adding a few words and saying: "I want the
car." "Here is the car." Again, be a good speech model.
8. A quiet room
Turn off the radio or TV when talking with your
child. Most of us find it more difficult to listen carefully when there is a lot
of noise around us. This is even more of a problem for the young child.
9. Play and listen
As part of each day, try to set aside a "play
time" for just you and your child. Let your child choose a game, toy or book.
During this time, talk about your activities but keep your conversation at the
child's level. Gradually introduce new ideas and words.