Hearing aids are not the same as glasses
Hearing aids and cochlear implants are not like glasses because they do not simply “correct” hearing in the way glasses correct vision. Here’s why… They don’t restore normal hearing: Glasses adjust the focus of light entering the eye, restoring clear vision for most people. Hearing aids and cochlear implants, however, amplify or process sound but […]
Research participation – ANCHOR (Australian National Child Hearing Health Outcomes Registry)
Invitation to take part in the ANCHOR: Outcomes Matter eDelphi Surveys. ANCHOR (Australian National Child Hearing Health Outcomes Registry) is a research project to develop the foundations of a national registry for deaf and hard of hearing children. The registry is a way of collecting information about child hearing. The aim of the ANCHOR: Outcomes […]
Sounds & Signs February 2025
The February 2025 edition of Sounds & Signs – the official newsletter of Aussie Deaf Kids – is now available. Read it online: Sounds & Signs – February 2025 Subscribe to Sounds & Signs
Congratulations to Jill Duncan on receiving your OAM!
Congratulations to Associate Professor Jill Duncan on being awarded an Order of Australia medal. Jill has been on the board of Aussie Deaf Kids since 2013 and has been advocating for children who are deaf and hard of hearing and their families her whole working life. She has been an amazing mentor and friend. We […]
Research participation – Hearing healthcare transition experiences for emerging adults with hearing loss
Invitation to Participate in Research: R U Ready? How young people who are d/Deaf or hard of hearing experience hearing healthcare changeovers. A team at the University of Queensland are exploring how young people who are deaf or hard of hearing move from childhood to adult hearing care. This is the first study in a series […]
Sounds & Signs December 2024
The December 2024 edition of Sounds & Signs – the official newsletter of Aussie Deaf Kids – is now available. Read it online: Sounds & Signs – December 2024 Subscribe to Sounds & Signs
Books for families
Check out our new Book page!! Parents in our community often ask for book recommendations that feature characters who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH). They want stories that their children can relate to, as well as themes and topics related to deafness and hearing loss. To help parents, we have created a new […]
Research participation – Behaviour of children with hearing loss
Invitation to Participate in Research: Caregiver and Professional Experiences of Psychosocial and Behavioural Difficulties in Children with Permanent Hearing Loss Researchers from The University of Queensland are exploring the joys and challenges of behaviour and young deaf and hard of hearing children. This is the first phase in a series of studies looking to develop […]
The importance of regular eye tests
Children who are deaf or hard of hearing may also have problems with their eyesight. Children who are deaf or hard of hearing need the best possible vision to access visual cues that support communication, such as sign language, facial expressions, and lip-reading. Eye tests with an optometrist or ophthalmologist before starting school—or sooner if […]
Junior science academy for DHH kids: January 2025
Register Interest – Junior Science Academy for Deaf and Hard of Hearing kids: January 2025 Macquarie University’s Junior Science Academy (JSA) for Deaf and Hard of Hearing kids is back again this summer! Keep your child’s enthusiasm to learn alive over the long break and give them an opportunity to connect with new and old […]
Your voice matters: Foundational supports
Your voice matters: help create better supports for deaf and hard-of-hearing children The Australian Government wants to hear from you! Recent updates to National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) legislation mean that governments are looking into new ways to support children with disabilities beyond the NDIS – called Foundational Supports. What Are Foundational Supports? Foundational Supports […]
Sarah’s story – the importance of language acquisition
When our son was little, we were in this space where it’s either/or: you are either signing or speaking – you had a cochlear implant, or you were Deaf. Nowadays, it’s nice to see the younger generation of Deaf people coming through and saying, I can have both. There should not be any limits on […]
Sounds & Signs October 2024
The October 2024 edition of Sounds & Signs – the official newsletter of Aussie Deaf Kids – is now available. Read it online: Sounds & Signs – October 2024 Subscribe to Sounds & Signs
Lifetime achievement award from Hearing Australia
We are proud to announce that our CEO and Founder, Ann Porter AM, was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award from Hearing Australia last week for her contributions to families with children who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH). The Hon Bill Shorten MP, Minister for the NDIS and Government Services presented the 2024 […]
Preparing for hearing tests and maximising cooperation
Hearing tests can be a new or difficult experience for your child, but with some preparation, you can help make it a positive one. Audiologists use various tests depending on your child’s age, cognitive development, and the type of hearing loss they are evaluating. While the specifics of each test are explained in the links […]
How to frame success for your child
As parents, we often use rewards to help our children reach their goals. But if we want to raise lifelong learners who are self-motivated and emotionally resilient, research suggests there are healthier ways to approach success. For children with hearing loss, focusing on effort and the process is especially important as they navigate their unique […]
Research participation – Raising a child with cochlear implants is a complex responsibility
Dilshan Delgama, a PhD Student, is conducting a research study exploring the challenges, considerations, support needs, and digital preferences of parents/caregivers of young children with cochlear implants. This project is sponsored by The University of Melbourne. If you care for a child with a cochlear implant who was implanted under 3 years of age, they […]
Sounds & Signs September 2024
The September 2024 edition of Sounds & Signs – the official newsletter of Aussie Deaf Kids – is now available. Read it online: Sounds & Signs – September 2024 Subscribe to Sounds & Signs
How and where can I learn Auslan – new page
Click here to check out our new website page that will hopefully guide parents who want to know how and where to learn Auslan, for their child and/or themselves.
Using assistive technology at home
For parents of children who are deaf or hard of hearing, creating a supportive home is key. There are many assistive listening devices designed to help your child navigate daily life more easily. Some you might know from school, but they are just as helpful at home. Here are a few devices that can make […]
