When someone asks about your child's hearing technology?

Script Tip: Have a quick speech ready for those awkward or emotional encounters with family and strangers.

Have you ever been minding your own business at the grocery store when a complete stranger approached you and your baby to ask about their hearing aids? Or did a well-meaning Aunt give you unsolicited, very odd, advice about your baby’s hearing loss?

These situations will happen! As parents of children with hearing differences who have been through this, we have a helpful tip so that you can navigate these situations with confidence while keeping your emotions in check. Come up with and practice a quick script! If you have a quick script about your child’s hearing aids, hearing loss, and any other unique needs ready to go, it can alleviate a lot of the anxiety and emotion of the encounter.

Here are a few tips for your script…

1. Only share what you are comfortable sharing.

2.  Focus on the positive. The way you talk about your child’s hearing difference will set the tone for how your child will feel about it.

3. Don’t be afraid to say, “We are still trying to figure things out”. You don’t owe anyone an explanation.

4. Don’t be afraid to end the encounter when you want to. “That’s all I can talk about today.”

Once you know what you want to say, practice it! In front of the mirror, in the shower, with your spouse, with a friend, or with your baby! As your baby grows and you navigate this journey, you will find it easier to talk about, but it can be a challenge in the beginning. Give yourself grace and space while you adjust to this new path. You and your family will figure things out and your child will amaze you along the way.