Meanwhile, children who have a hearing loss do not have the input of speech and language until the loss is diagnosed, the child is fitted with hearing aids, and a program of communication therapies begins. Whatever direction or mode of communication, a family chooses for the child, the child needs a language. Language, whether spoken or signed, enables the child to communicate with others, to express and understand needs, desires, feelings, and ideas. However, exactly when the child will start to talk depends upon the child, the degree of hearing loss, the family's support system, the child's age when the hearing loss was identified and amplification provided, the benefit received from the amplification, and other factors. Learning to talk is a process that always requires much time and effort.
Hearing aids are a very important part of the program for a child with a hearing loss.
Appropriate hearing aids or an FM auditory trainer allow the child to make contact with the world of sound. Unlike eyeglasses which usually restore normal sight, hearing aids do not restore normal hearing. A hearing aid can make things louder but cannot necessarily make words and sounds clearer, if the hair cells in the cochlea are damaged. However, it takes time to learn to use a hearing aid. Your child will not respond immediately and patience is needed.