My tips for hearing parents of deaf toddlers

Here are some of things we figured out in Beatrice’s second year, in the hope they might help another struggling hearing parent of a deaf toddler!

Meet other deaf families

Since Beatrice was about 18 months old, we have been attending a weekly group for deaf preschoolers run by Teachers of the Deaf (ToDs). I find it really helpful to talk to other parents in a similar boat, and to get tips and advice from ToDs and other professionals. I think it’s great that Beatrice regularly sees other children with hearing devices.

Work with childcare staff

Beatrice’s adults at nursery and preschool have been keen to make things work as well as possible. As with many providers, there is quite a turnover of staff, so every so often we make sure that they know what they’re doing, for example with replacing batteries. Sometimes when I pick Beatrice up, her moulds are not in her ears properly, so I’m not shy about politely pointing this out and showing them how to do it right.

Get extra hearing aid boxes and keys

Audiology often have spare hearing aid boxes and keys (what I call the little tool that opens the battery compartment) – you might as well ask! One in the changing bag, one in the handbag, bedroom, car and so on.

Investigate moulds

We found that glitter moulds are softer and fit Beatrice’s ears better, but that might just be the lab our hospital uses. We also ask for left and right moulds to be in different colours to make it easier for everyone, especially nursery. We base it on the audiologist’s favourite: Red = Right, Blue = Left, but we have different colours each time so that we don’t muddle them up.

Learn some British Sign Language (BSL) signs

Your child may or may not be starting to talk now, but whatever they do now or whatever the future holds, I think being able to sign at or with your child is a massive bonus. Even if their hearing technology works wonderfully, there will still be times they won’t be using it, for example, first thing in the morning, or if they’re ill or undergoing procedures in hospital.

Get some wordy picture books

For example, 'Usborne First Thousand Words' or 'You Choose'. This will give you lots to chat about, as well as an opportunity to use your signs!

Look for tops with button or popper openings

There’s nothing like the parent guilt when you pull a tight jumper over your child’s head, for them to get a bit stuck and the aids to get pulled out. Perhaps that’s why Beatrice favours cardigans…

Look into Carer’s Allowance if you’re not working

If your child gets Disability Living Allowance (DLA) and one parent isn’t working, it might be worth looking into if you’re eligible for Carer’s Allowance. If you need help, you could try Citizen’s Advice. It feels a bit weird as every parent cares for their child, but it’s true we have a more challenging time of it which may well make it impractical for us to return to work.

[In Scotland, you need to apply for Carer Support Payment instead of Carer's Allowance.]