Supporting Families Who needs support?

A hearing loss diagnosis affects the whole family. Parents, siblings and grandparents of a baby diagnosed with a hearing loss will experience a range of emotions and require different types of support.

Parents

Parents often experience shock, sadness, confusion, fear and guilt when they learn their child has a hearing loss. Some parents may feel relief as it confirms suspicions about their child’s behaviour and development.

Siblings

Siblings of a child with a hearing loss can feel positive and negative emotions. They may develop a positive attitude towards people’s differences and better understand communication techniques. They may also feel more responsibility placed upon them which can lead to resentment.

Grandparents

Grandparents often feel similar emotions to the parents of the child with a hearing loss. They too may feel sad, shocked and overwhelmed, both for their grandchild and their own child. It is important to ensure that grandparents also have access to support.

See the Resources at the top of the screen for more on supporting families.