The motto of the event: "Hearing is possible thanks to technology. Being heard is thanks to people."“I am the mother of a child with hearing impairment; my son’s name is Alinur. I have three children, and the hearing of my other two is fine. Alinur is in the second grade and is successfully mastering the curriculum. He wears binaural hearing aids,” shares the boy's mother.
According to Rysbaeva, many parents mistakenly believe that after hearing aids are fitted, their children will start speaking as soon as they begin to hear. However, understanding must develop: the child must learn to process information, identify the main points, and adapt to the environment.
Alinur's rehabilitation included a variety of activities: in addition to working with a deaf educator and a speech therapist, physical training and sensory integration were added. This yielded tangible results. Alinur became more stable and better controlled his movements. Children with hearing impairments often experience dysfunction of the vestibular system, leading to clumsiness and difficulties in play situations. Developing motor skills and the proprioceptive system helps the child better understand the surrounding world and develop speech,” explains Tatygul.
Tatygul Rysbaeva. The event dedicated to the International Day of Cochlear Implantation.
“Our children, who started hearing later, perceive the world visually. For example, Alinur learned the multiplication table at the age of five by watching cartoons and studying the material visually. He loves numbers; he could count up to a million and work with fractions. Nevertheless, his speech developed more slowly than his mathematical skills,” adds the mother.
After the fitting of hearing aids, active work on vocabulary began. Visual cards were used, for example, showing how a window opens. “I would say a phrase and show what it means to 'open' and 'close.' This formed a connection between the word, action, and image,” recounts Alinur's mother.
During walks, they discussed everything they saw: cars, houses, trees. Repeating these words helped the child remember them both audibly and visually.
Alinur. The event dedicated to the International Day of Cochlear Implantation.
Rysbaeva emphasizes that such work requires the constant involvement of the entire family.
“Only with the full support of the family can a child successfully undergo rehabilitation,” she asserts.It is also important to monitor the hearing aids, which require regular care. “Batteries run out quickly. After work, I always check the devices to make sure they are functioning. We clean them at least every two days, as earwax can clog the tube and interfere with hearing. They need to be dried properly and removed during sleep,” shares Rysbaeva.
Tatygul Rysbaeva. The event dedicated to the International Day of Cochlear Implantation.
It is important to explain to the child that the hearing aids belong to him, and no one has the right to touch them. He needs to be taught to explain to other children that these are not headphones, but devices that help him hear.
“Once a classmate asked Alinur if he had headphones on his ears. My son calmly explained that these are hearing aids that help him hear,” the mother recounts.“Before sending him to school, I spoke with the teachers and explained that he needs an inclusive environment for full development. He does not have mental or psychological disorders; he is attentive and teachable. Usually, children with hearing impairments are sent to specialized schools, but we were recommended a regular school for further development,” she shares.
As Rysbaeva notes, those around them react to her son's characteristics normally. They have not faced open discrimination. “Perhaps someone thinks something to themselves, but no one expresses it aloud. I see my child as a full member of society and never allow anyone to treat him with pity. I am more demanding of him than of other children because if high goals are not set, he may start to slack off,” the woman emphasizes.
Today, Alinur independently handles his homework, except for complex text problems in mathematics. He also helps his younger brother, keeping track of his schedule and homework. The boy feels responsible as the older brother.
“It is important to remember that before losing his hearing, Alinur reacted well to sounds. For example, he heard us opening soda and would run from another room, naming the drink. He could still hear, but then he lost his hearing. We need to be more open and kind to children and people with special needs,” concluded Tatygul Rysbaeva.
