There are hundreds of reasons why a child is born hard of hearing or becomes deaf early in life.  The number of hearing impaired Americans has doubled just in the last three decades alone and includes some 35 million children and adults.  Almost a million Americans have been diagnosed with severe to profound hearing loss, and 80, 000 are under eighteen years old.  Learning that a child has a hearing impairment sends a parent’s mind racing, wondering about the long term effects it could have on their entire lives, regardless of the cause or intensity of deafness.  Children who are hearing impaired are generally going to have a harder time learning vocabulary, grammar, syntax, slang, and new terminology.   

A parent starts researching for more detailed information while trying to figure out how this happened or why it is so, as all too often a precise reason cannot be easily identified.  The parent learns that conductive deafness (Otitis Media) is the most common type and can be temporary, but it could also be sensori-neural deafness which is permanent, or even a mixture, referred to as mixed deafness.  The possible causes for childhood hearing impairments run the gamut from hereditary, complications during pregnancy, ototoxic drugs, ear infections, head injuries, prolonged lack of oxygen, or being exposed to loud noise…and all too often cannot be pegged into one cause.  So parents take their child to the audiologist for help in determining all they can in regards to their child’s hearing abilities and to get hearing aid and/or hearing assistive technology (HATS) to ensure that the child is provided with every opportunity to hear to the best of his or her ability.  

But parents can get so focused on providing what the child needs that quality recreational time is sometimes missing from the equation. Kids of all ages and types learn exceptionally well through specifically targeted educational toys, and hard of hearing children are not the exception! So after all of the research, doctors’ consultations, and hearing aid/technology selections, parents should not forget to throw in some games to keep the child properly stimulated. 

TheSign2Me Flash Cards Beginners Series is a great way to start teaching English/Spanish speakers the basics of American Sign Language (ASL) with 28 colorful theme cards with happy, memorable pictures, with corresponding hand sign and the English and Spanish words for the sign.  These easy to remember cards are offered in 5 different theme packs which include animals and colors, actions and opposites, objects and emotions, family, clothing and toileting, and even a quick start pack.  These cards will not only help your little one, but are additionally beneficial for family members, caregivers, and friends.  This is a great way to get the whole family involved just playing games while becoming trilingual!

The American Sign Language Puzzle Book provides more fun while learning to sign, is very memorable, and of course increases the child’s vocabulary bank. The book can be used in conjunction with the American Sign Language Phrase Book for the ultimate crash course in sign language.  It contains tons of different puzzles of varying levels of difficulty including word searches, matching, scrambles, pyramids, crosswords and detailed drawings of hands signs and movements required while signing.  And it is well suited for sharing with siblings’ learning as well.

Keep Quiet, a game that can be played by both deaf and hearing users, also helps players learn to fingerspell in just minutes while having fun and getting acquainted with the new ABC American Sign Language alphabet. Play Keep Quiet a few times and you’ll know how to spell out any word even if you do not know the correct hand sign.

The Sign Find - Vacations Computer CD-ROM for the deaf sends your child on adventures with Paws, the signing dog, as he travels to 14 fun-filled destinations! This amazing game is a priceless resource with over 550 American Sign Language videos that illustrate signs and some delightful games to play.

The Witch Puppet for Teaching Sign Language is perfect for an educational hand signing puppet show, your hands fit into hers for easy storytelling. Using a fun character like the Witch Puppet is a creative teaching technique that can help children remember and retain more of the lesson.  Play good witch, bad witch with this attention-grabbing 2 foot tall puppet and let your imagination soar.

Honey Teddy Bear is a plush bear puppet that can be used for storytelling, or as a fun, cuddly animal for your children to play with. The puppet allows the wearer to make accurate signs and movements, which keeps the children’s attention while they have fun learning.

So bring on the signing fun with these interactive games and toys that are fun for the whole family.  Everyone will compete to see who can learn the fastest, and you’ll be amazed at how much more quickly your hearing impaired child is learning vocabulary and relating to his or her world. 

Alyssa Aldana,
Medical Consumer Writer
and
Hulet Smith, OT
Rehabmart Team Leader & CEO