Besides the three main causes for loss of hearing in children… hereditary, premature birth, and short weight children… there are many other reasons. In developed countries the preferred method for those diagnosed with hearing difficulties is to provide early intervention. In these countries, from birth, children have the support of their families, medical officials, and hearing loss experts in order that an early diagnosis can be made and treatments started.
Once this diagnosis has occurred, family, medical teams, and educators come together in a cooperative team effort, and this, along with the equipment needed, is extremely important. However, the family remains at the center and is the most important element in assisting a child with hearing impairment.
Thanks to modern scientific techniques, such as electronic measurement of the brain and ears, hearing impaired children can be discovered when they are only months old. They are then able to be fitted with a hearing aide and admitted into an early intervention program. Parents, following the instructions of experts, are shown how to play with and teach their children. This phase of training lasts about 2 years, after which, and when the children can speak, they are then admitted into preparatory school. After a few years the children are re-tested, and, if ready, admitted into the first form of school.
In Vietnam today the more advanced treatment regimen has already been implemented, but, due to low standards of living most families are still not informed of the news of its existence. Therefore, because of this lack of communication and other factors the usual treatment in Vietnam is as follows:
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Simple sign language is still used today. From 1886 to 1930 this was the primary communication skill taught, and signing is a non-verbal means of communication using the hands.
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In mixed method, intervention occurs early and children are provided with a hearing aid and taught to use every day articles. They are taken on sightseeing tours and other activities to help them learn verbal skills.
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The listening and speaking method also involves early detection of the problem. Hearing is one of the most important senses in the development of language, so deaf children must be located and fitted with hearing aids early for language to develop.
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The sooner they are discovered to be with a problem the sooner parents can be instructed in how to communicate to their children. If this period of language improvement is successful the children will develop and improve their language skills
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Organizer:
Sister Ngo Thi Mai Anh
Tel: 0650-755587
Fax: 0650 753007
e-mail: mariemaianh@hcm.vnn.vn