The sound of silence

Henriette Lamprecht – Deafness is not a mental disability, but purely a physical impairment – the mind of a hearing impaired child being just as smart and his emotions just as deep as those of a hearing child.

However, due to a lack of awareness, understanding and support, children with a hearing impairment often face a very uncertain future.

While some can hear most sounds, others hear very little, with others who cannot hear at all. All hearing impaired children can, however, be helped to read and write. While some children can learn to speak, others communicate in sign language. Children use all their senses to explore their environment. Stimulating sight, touch, smell and taste help to compensate for hearing loss.

Enter the Association for Children with Language, Speech and Hearing Impairments of Namibia (CLaSH).

Formed in 1989 as a self-help group for parents, it has in the years since its establishment acted as a facilitator of the development towards equal opportunities for children with language, speech and hearing impairments.

In 1994 CLaSH established the first Namibian specialised pre-school unit for deaf children in Windhoek, to date a unique model (and training institution). Here a stimulating environment is provided in which children are taught in a holistic way.

Children learn effective communication skills through Namibian Sign Language and are prepared socially, emotionally and cognitively for their future formal schooling.

A second unit that started 2006 in northern Namibia as a CLaSH supported parent-initiative now resides under the auspices of the regional office of the ministry of education and is growing steadily into Namibia's third School for the Deaf.

The CLaSH Unit follows an educational approach that combines elements of Montessori education with specific aspects of early Deaf Education. Classified as an Early Intervention Unit, the newly built school, which in future will reside under the auspices of the ministry of basic education, arts and culture, offers extramural activities such as swimming lessons, rhythm and music and topic-specific outings to the deaf children.

It has set an example by employing deaf adults as native signers and caregivers for young deaf children, and is now being followed by the ministry of education when appointing deaf class assistants in their schools for the deaf.

*Can your child hear well?

If a baby can hear well, he or she will easily learn to speak. Babies at the age of six to seven months who can hear normally, will get a fright if there is a sudden loud noise; will usually calm down when there are familiar voices talking; will listen to sounds and noises, e.g. if you clap your hands; and will turn their heads towards sounds.

During his or her first year, a baby starts talking or babbling. She makes sounds or coos to talk to mom or dad but also when she is alone. She will start to say mama or papa, and will listen to soft noises like the ticking of a clock. When a child turns two years, she has already learned a lot of words like names of family members, animals and things. She can express wishes, demands and statements, with new words being added all the time.

However, if your baby does not seem to hear well, does not babble and start to talk, or does not speak clearly, there might be a problem with your child’s hearing.

A severe hearing loss can be hereditary or acquired (developed), for example through malaria or meningitis. Very often a severe hearing loss is caused by damage in the inner ear or nerve and cannot be treated.

If a child is suffering from severe hearing loss, he or she cannot understand or hear speech. She will only hear fragments and parts of what is said; may look closely at your face to try and “read” your lips and may try using gestures and signs to communicate. Sometimes a hearing aid can be fitted but hearing aids do not bring back normal hearing. Some children do not benefit from hearing aids if their hearing loss is too severe.

*Guidelines for correct speech and language stimulation

- Make sure your child looks at you when you speak to him.

- Do not use baby talk.

- Repeat what you are talking about in different ways.

- If your child uses gestures or just points, do not do the same.

- Repeat in the correct way what your child says.

- Always react positively to your child’s speech.

- Make your child aware of sounds and noises and explain it to him.

- Talk to your child about everything you do, see, hear or feel.

- Always speak with your child even if you think he doesn’t understand or hear you.

- Enjoy telling stories to your child.

If you are concerned about your child’s speech and hearing, contact a local health facility, speech therapist, audiologist or CLaSH at [email protected] or visit www.clash-namibia.org