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Your Child Has A Hearing Loss . . . . Get Started Here

You've Just Received the Diagnosis That Your Child Is Deaf

Your child has just been diagnosed as deaf.  Or maybe your baby failed her newborn hearing screening at the hospital.  Or you’ve noticed that your child isn’t as responsive to sound as he should be.  These are all very frightening and confusing situations.  Don't wait to take action!  Because babies learn language by hearing language, even before birth, it's important to know immediately if your baby has a hearing concern.  So get started by:

  • Talking to your pediatrician about your concerns or test results. 
  • Making an appointment with an audiologist for a follow-up hearing test.  Contact us at jhorvath@bolestacenter.org if you need the name of an audiologist in your area.
  • Getting fitted for hearing aids as soon as possible if your child needs them.  Infants as early as 4 weeks old can be fit with amplification such as hearing aids and assistive devices.
  • Starting an early intervention/ habilitation program such as Bolesta provides. It is widely understood and accepted that hearing is critical for the development of speech, language, communication skills, and learning. The earlier that hearing loss occurs in the child' s life, the more serious the effect on the child's development. Similarly, the earlier the hearing loss is identified and intervention begun, the less serious the ultimate effects. Recent research indicates that children identified with hearing loss who begin services before 6 months old develop language on a par with their hearing peers.
  • Contacting Bolesta with any questions, concerns, or need for direction.  You can reach Judy Horvath, Clinical Director, at 813-932-1184, extension 25 or jhorvath@bolestacenter.org.   And remember, we're here to help- in whatever way we can.

How Will I Communicate With My Child?

Children who are deaf or hard of hearing can learn to use spoken language to communicate by learning to use amplified residual hearing (through hearing aids), or electrically stimulated hearing (through cochlear implants), to listen, process verbal language, and speak.  Learning spoken language involves a commitment to regular Listening and Spoken Language therapy delivered by a trained therapist.  The goal of Listening and Spoken Language therapy is for children who are deaf or hard of hearing to grow up in typical learning and living environments and to become independent, participating citizens in mainstream society.  Why is this technique successful?  Because of:

  • Early Identification and Treatment- The sooner children are identified as deaf or hard of hearing and begin Listening and Spoken Language therapy, the more effective the therapy can be. Recent research demonstrates that children born deaf or hard of hearing who are detected and enrolled in early intervention programs by the age of six months can develop language and speech at a rate equivalent to that of their normal hearing peers by 36-40 months of age.  For this reason Bolesta Center, Inc. joins major professional associations (American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Audiology, American Speech and Hearing Association, and the Joint Committee on Infant Hearing) and federal agencies (National Institute of Health, Centers for Disease Control, Bureaus of Maternal and Child Health) to advocate universal screening for hearing loss at birth.
  • Commitment and Involvement of Family Members- Children receiving Listening and Spoken Language therapy require the full commitment of their parents and/or caregivers. Key to success is a parent's willingness to serve as the primary teacher and language model for his or her child by participating in weekly sessions with the child and the therapist. The parent also engages in daily at-home listening and language experiences with the child.
  • Regular Monitoring of Progress- Every Listening and Spoken Language therapy session is diagnostic in nature and includes an ongoing assessment process with modifications of the therapy plan occurring based upon individual needs. The therapist informally assesses the child's progress during weekly sessions, and children are monitored semi-annually with formal, standardized tests to ensure optimal progress is occurring in a developmentally appropriate manner. Tests used to measure progress are standardized on the typical hearing population and assess all aspects of communication skills, including receptive language, expressive language, and articulation.

How Will I Pay For Services?

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) ensures that children who have hearing loss receive free, appropriate early intervention programs from birth to age 3 and throughout the school years (ages 3-21). Early Intervention services for infants and toddlers are family centered and involve multidisciplinary services. 

  • The goal is to facilitate the child's language development so that developmental milestones can be achieved on schedule.
  • The goal is to enhance the family's understanding of the infant' s needs and build family support in parenting the infant with hearing loss.
  • The goal is to monitor the child's progress and to make decisions for intervention and education each step of the way as the child develops.

In addition, there are various options available to assist in funding for children' s hearing aids. Some private health care plans may cover the cost. Be sure to check with your health insurance company or your benefits manager to find out.  Medicaid must cover hearing aids and associated services for children who qualify.

Early Intervention through IDEA also provides coverage for certain costs associated with audiology services. Early Intervention Services are provided either through your local school system or through your local health department, depending on what state you live in. Check with your Early Intervention Service Coordinator to determine is your child qualifies for Early Intervention (EI) and what is covered.

At Bolesta, we turn no family away based on ability to pay.

How Can I Find Out More?

Teaching your child to use spoken language begins with a free consultation at Bolesta Center.  Contact Judy Horvath at 813-932-1184, extension 25 or jhorvath@bolestacenter.org to get started today.