Aural Rehabilitation; Fish Fry Dinners

Children experiencing hearing impairment often have difficulty communicating in noisy or busy environments.  Thus, it is best to provide your child with as much practice using aural rehabilitation strategies as possible.  This time of year, many churches and other facilities host a "fish fry" dinner.  These are optimal places to practice communication as it gets you and your child out in the community in a safe and structured environment.

Image retrieved from http://www.newsnet5.com/fishfry.

It is important for your child to take responsibility to ensure that she can communicate appropriately and receive messages.  One of the first things to do (aside from managing a hearing device as needed) is to modify the environment to increase communication: pick a table that is in a quiet location, pick a seat in the well-lit area.  Next, your child should be assertive in informing others as needed regarding her hearing status.  Simple statements such as, "Will you please speak louder when you talk to me?  I have a hearing deficit," are helpful for the communication partner.  Finally, encourage your child to be an active listener: have her look at the person talking to her, and ask questions when there is a communication breakdown.  It is most helpful to ask specific questions when there has been a communication breakdown, such as "Please say the last part again," or, "What movie did you say you and Jen saw?" instead of "Huh?" or "What?"

Children with hearing loss may also experience difficulty having others understand their speech.  Many of the above principles apply: communicate in a quiet environment, sit face-to-face with one's communication partner, speak precisely and with adequate volume, stay on topic, etc.

I recommend beginning with a simply family conversation at the table during dinner at the fish fry, and allowing your child to use the above strategies.  Then, slowly move on to speaking with non-familiar listeners to practice the skills further.  Attending a family-friendly event like a fish fry should hopefully provide your child with a patient, supportive network.

Here is a link to KDKA's "Fish Fry Guide": http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2014/02/18/kdka-fish-fry-guide-2014/