3 Ways You Can Help Your Child Hear Better At Home

It may seem like common sense to read that it’s easier for your child to listen and learn in a quieter environment, but did you know there are changes you can make in your home to minimize noise and make listening easier? Get our tips for creating an LSL-friendly home so your child can learn in an optimal listening environment.

Subtle background noises around your home can make it difficult for your child to hear all the sounds of speech as they are learning new words. And while you may be able to tune out these everyday sounds, they could be preventing your child with hearing loss from having clear access to important sounds and language.

The good news is you have the power to manage your listening environment so your child can fully participate in daily interactions with your family, their friends, and community members. Make listening easier around the house with these simple tips.

1. Quality counts. A quiet environment improves the LSL experience. Take advantage of quieter times of the day to foster meaningful interactions like feeding time or when you’re changing their diaper.
2. Know your home. Take notice of your home routines and their noise levels when your child is alert, active and ready to listen. Wait to run the dishwasher or washing machine until naptime. Turn off the TV or music when playing or sharing books with your child.
3. Create quiet. Our homes can be noisy places! Become aware of all the background noise in your home and try to reduce them as much as possible. Placing carpets or area rugs over hard flooring, and using more cushions, curtains and wall coverings can help absorb noise.

Watch Hearing First CEO, Dr. Teresa Caraway, CCC-SLP, LSLS Cert. AVT walk through these tips for creating an optimal listening environment in our new video!

Remember, when it comes to making an LSL-friendly house, the less noise the better! For more practical tips for making listening easier at home, download our checklist.