Kit Provides Help for Parents of Children with Hearing Loss

Some folks in Australia have come up with a kit that provides valuable information to parents of kids with hearing loss. Here's the press release, which includes a link you can use to download the information!

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October 2007

Parent's anxiety on finding out their child or baby has a hearing loss will be eased thanks to a easy to understand information kit launched today by the Minister for Children and Early Childhood Development, Maxine Morand.

Ms Morand said the Brumby Government provided $20,000 for the kit which would support a $10 million state-wide expansion of neonatal hearing tests to all public and private hospitals announced during last year's election.

"Parents and families can go through a difficult time coping when they are told their baby or young child has been diagnosed with a hearing loss," Ms Morand said.

"This practical kit, to be given to parents when a baby's hearing loss is clinically diagnosed, passes on the experiences of other parents who have dealt with the same problems and emotions that they are going through.

"The kit will also help parents learn about hearing loss, where to get help and ways to adjust to the change."

The kit called When a baby's hearing loss is diagnosed - Fact Sheets for Families includes useful and easy to read fact sheets and case studies about hearing loss, services for children and families and information on adjusting to the change and explaining hearing loss to family and friends.

Ms Morand said about 70 Victorian babies are born with bilateral moderate or worse congenital hearing loss every year.

"That's why we have invested in this information kit to minimise anxiety for parents at the point of diagnosis," Ms Morand said.

"The kit has been developed by parents and professionals to make sure the information is not only accurate, but relevant as well.

"The State Government's $10 million state-wide expansion of neonatal hearing tests to all public and private hospitals will mean hearing problems can be identified earlier.

"Earlier identification means a child will get support and assistance sooner to give them the best chance to develop the speech and language skills."

Ms Morand launched the kit at Blackburn's Taralye - the Oral Language Centre for Deaf Children.

The specialist centre provides Brumby Government funded early intervention services for about 160 children with a hearing loss. The organisation also runs a kindergarten for both hearing and hearing impaired children. About 81 children attend the kindergarten.

Audiologists will provide parents with the kit.