Equipment & Funding

Following the diagnosis of hearing loss in a child by an audiologist, and following consultation with an ear nose and throat surgeon (also known as an otolaryngologist), the audiologist and adviser on deaf children will discuss with parents and families the types of sensory aids available and which would be the most appropriate for their child. This discussion is held with parents and families who choose to pursue support for the stimulation of the auditory system to facilitate listening and spoken language development. All parents and families of hearing impaired or deaf children who are keen for their child to develop spoken language skills and to use their residual hearing to its fullest potential will want to know about the types of sensory aids available.

Sensory aids are wearable electronic devices designed to improve reception of speech and environmental sounds for hearing impaired and deaf children. Sensory aids help children develop spoken language skills and keep them in touch with environmental sounds such as household noises, alarms and traffic noises. Children with loss of hearing sensitivity are less able to follow spoken conversation, hear radio or television, hear on the telephone, or hear sounds in their everyday world.

The "Family Book" (DEANZ & NAC, 2005) provides basic information to assist parents and families in understanding what sensory aids are, how they work and how they are provided in New Zealand. It should be read in conjunction with publications which address other modes of communication for children who are deaf. It is most important that parents of deaf children are aware of the various sign languages, and of their appropriateness and importance for some deaf children. Advisers on deaf children will be able to discuss aspects of signed communication.