A hearing loss means more than just an inability to hear. Hearing loss leads to problems accessing auditory information, especially speech. Environmental sounds that add richness to one’s quality of life may not be heard by a child who has a hearing loss. Even a mild loss can lead to communication, learning, reading, language and social difficulties. To help children overcome these difficulties, grandparents and brothers and sisters may need to play active roles.

As advanced as hearing aids have become today, they are still limited. Understanding these limitations is a necessity for grandparents and siblings who want to communicate with the child who has the hearing loss. Knowing the best way to speak with the child and using the best communication strategies can lead to success rather than frustration.

Knowledge and communication
Sometimes, especially when a non-verbal communication mode is used, only one or two members of the family can successfully communicate with the child causing others to have to "go through" this family member as an "interpreter". This can impact relationships between family members and the child with the hearing loss. Helping everyone communicate directly and successfully with children who have hearing loss leads to the best situation. For valuable communication techniques please look at our Daily life help section.

Therefore, it is necessary for grandparents and siblings to understand the child’s hearing loss, how the hearing aids help the child, and what are the most appropriate ways to communicate with the child.

In addition to learning about hearing loss, hearing aids, and communication, grandparents and siblings may have special adjustment needs. They may also feel affected by learning. It can be difficult or even overwhelming for grandparents and siblings to deal with friends, neighbors, and others, as well as the special needs of the hearing impaired child.  The next two sections discuss the special issues that grandparents and siblings may face.