A Parent's Guide to Hearing Loss

Produced by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program

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Family Adjustment

After learning a child has a hearing loss, some parents may have feelings of surprise, shock, confusion, anger, and even guilt. You may feel differently than other parents who have a child with a hearing loss. If you share parenting with a spouse or partner, each of you may feel differently about your child's hearing loss. Other children in the family may also feel differently about their brother or sister than you do.

Families are sometimes troubled by this. It is normal to have different feelings. Your family might want to talk to someone who is trained to help families learn about and share their thoughts and feelings. This person might be a counselor, social worker, clergy, teacher, service coordinator, or any other person that the family feels comfortable with.

Remember, it is common for families to take time to learn about and adjust to their child's hearing loss. Most families develop positive, healthy views about their family and their child's future. Often, it just takes time.

Glossary

Service Coordinator: This is a professional that is assigned to help a family work through the IFSP (Individualized Family Service Plan). Every family that takes part in this program is assigned a service coordinator. This professional works closely with the family to set up the services in the Part C program. The service coordinator talks with the family to learn about their concerns, resources, and priorities.

For more information or to order additional copies of "A Parent's Guide to Hearing Loss" visit CDC's website at www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/ehdi.