So, I would love to hear some suggestions from other parents of deaf/hard of hearing kids on how you handle taking them in public. Ever since my 3 year old daughter started showing signs of hearing loss it has been HELL most of the time to take her places in public. She seems to do ok at first but after a few minutes she starts with either wanting out of the cart or shrieking to get my attention or some other thing that eventually starts to grate on my nerves... I think I realized today that I DEFINITELY don't need to take her out anywhere if it is near nap time (she is three but still takes a good nap each day after lunch). I think maybe her being tired makes things worse... And now that we have an actual idea of where her hearing is at (moderate to moderately-severe) I think I might be understanding more about why she acts worse in public places (maybe there is too much "noise" that she is unable to really interpret so it is just tiring her out worse?). She should be meeting with the audiologist soon to get fitted for hearing aids, but I would love to know some of your ideas for making outings a little more bearable in the mean time... Since her hearing is worst in the high pitches it seems that she shrieks SO much (probably because SHE can't hear it) and my hearing is actually pretty sensitive in the high pitches so it feels like those sounds just cut right into my head! And I know everyone in the store is wondering why the heck this child is screeching for no apparent reason! Does anyone have any ideas on how to make outings more enjoyable for EVERYONE involved? Are there things you do for distraction to keep your kid from getting overwhelmed by all the noises that happen when out in public? It was funny because today it seemed like the happiest moment for her was when she was in the cart and we were bumping over the parking lot- it makes a pretty deep rumbly noise and there are also vibrations and I think she was picking up on that because she pointed to the cart and then to her ears (she hears low pitches the best at around 35-40db). Plus, she IS three and quite independent and wanting to do things HER way (see what she wants to see, etc.) and it is hard to communicate to her that she needs to wait (we are all just learning sign so I use "no" and "sit" a lot when we are in public but that is mostly what I can communicate to her at those times). 
in advance for any tips!! (My nerves will definitely thank you too!)
in advance for any tips!! (My nerves will definitely thank you too!)
This made me laugh! I find myself telling my husband "if we don't figure something out soon I think I will be going deaf too!" I have always had pretty sensitive ears (I pick up on the hum of fluorescent lights which a lot of hearing people don't and other things) and the high pitches she hits when she screams/screeches cut right through me!! What makes it worse is that her hearing loss is WORSE in the high pitches, so I am sure if she is hearing ANY of her screaming it probably just sounds like a whisper to her!! Definitely not to me though!!
....and I was deaf and they were hearing...and no amount of telling them..."you don't have to yell when telling me something"...(all hearies think they need to yell at deafies or HOH people)...Felt sort of sorry for the neighbors!....
