Information for researchers
Aussie Deaf Kids receives frequent requests from researchers seeking support to recruit participants for studies involving children with hearing loss and their families. We are committed to supporting ethical, high-quality research that aims to improve outcomes for children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Research Participation and Support We encourage parents and their children […]
Sounds & Signs May 2026
The May 2026 edition of Sounds & Signs – the official newsletter of Aussie Deaf Kids – is now available. Read it online: Sounds & Signs – May 2026 Subscribe to Sounds & Signs
Research participation – Listening between the lines
Listening between the lines. Help researchers from Flinders University understand how young people with hearing devices experience everyday listening and communication. This research aims to better understand real-world listening and communication experiences to help inform more responsive clinical and support practices for young people using hearing devices. What’s involved? A short online survey(10-15mins) If eligible: […]
Sounds & Signs April 2026
The April 2026 edition of Sounds & Signs – the official newsletter of Aussie Deaf Kids – is now available. Read it online: Sounds & Signs – April 2026 Subscribe to Sounds & Signs
Jimmy’s World Hearing Day presentation – raising awareness at school
Thank you Jimmy for sharing your World Hearing Day (WHD) presentation! The WHD theme for 2026 is From Communities to Classrooms: Hearing health for every child. So, this is a fantastic way to raise awareness about hearing health and deafness at school. Watch Jimmy’s presentation here or watch on YouTube. Jimmy – World Hearing Day […]
A letter to myself
My daughter has just turned 18 and finished her HSC, her Drama individual performance was chosen to be performed at “Onstage”, it was her story of growing up deaf. It has had me reflecting so much on the journey of the last 18 years and I wrote a letter to myself. Dear me, I’m writing […]
Get connected using the National Relay Service (NRS)
Get Connected: How the National Relay Service (NRS) Empowers Youth and Parents In today’s fast-paced world, staying connected is more important than ever, especially for young people their families and friends. The National Relay Service (NRS) offers a lifeline, ensuring everyone can communicate effortlessly and confidently. Why Choose NRS? The NRS provides a range of […]
Finding service providers
Parents in our community are often looking for professionals such as speech pathologists, occupational therapists (OTs), early intervention services, paediatricians, or other specialists in their local area. This can be even harder for families in regional or rural areas, where there may be fewer services and longer waiting lists. Finding the right support for your […]
From lived experience to global policy, research and practice
When parents’ lived experiences are recognised as knowledge, research becomes more meaningful and impactful. We’re pleased to share a newly published journal article in Deafness & Education International highlighting research initiated by the Global Coalition of Parents of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children (GPODHH). This work reflects a strong commitment to recognising the knowledge […]
Sounds & Signs March 2026
The March 2026 edition of Sounds & Signs – the official newsletter of Aussie Deaf Kids – is now available. Read it online: Sounds & Signs – March 2026 Subscribe to Sounds & Signs
Celebrating 25 years of Aussie Deaf Kids
25 years ago, a mum with a deaf child, started a small online group to connect and support parents raising children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Thank you for being part of our story!
World Hearing Day 2026 – raising awareness!
World Hearing Day is coming – 3rd March 2026! Let’s bring schools together – worldwide to raise awareness of childhood hearing loss. Families can lead change. World Hearing Day is a simple opportunity to encourage your child’s school to take part. One small action really does make a big difference. How will your school make […]
Sounds & Signs February 2026
The February 2026 edition of Sounds & Signs – the official newsletter of Aussie Deaf Kids – is now available. Read it online: Sounds & Signs – February 2026 Subscribe to Sounds & Signs
Social anxiety
Social anxiety is common for young people with hearing loss, often because social situations take more effort and can feel unpredictable. Your child may worry about missing what others say, feeling different, or making a mistake in a fast-moving conversation. Here are some tips for managing social anxiety: Acknowledge their feelings. Let them know it’s […]
Sounds & Signs December 2025
The December 2025 edition of Sounds & Signs – the official newsletter of Aussie Deaf Kids – is now available. Read it online: Sounds & Signs – December 2025 Subscribe to Sounds & Signs
Deaf-friendly morning routines
Mornings can be busy. Visual cues, simple signs and predictable routines help deaf children feel calm, informed and ready for the day. Here are some tips to make mornings run more smoothly: Create a visual morning checklist: Use photos or symbols for each step, such as getting dressed, breakfast, brushing teeth and packing the school […]
Sounds & Signs November 2025
The November 2025 edition of Sounds & Signs – the official newsletter of Aussie Deaf Kids – is now available. Read it online: Sounds & Signs – November 2025 Subscribe to Sounds & Signs
New fact sheet – Communicating with your baby
Communicating with your baby – a fact sheet for parents of babies with hearing loss This fact sheet shares ideas for interacting with your baby and creating opportunities to communicate every day. The fact sheet is based on our website page “Communicating with your baby”, and presented in a printable pdf format. Communication between […]
Supporting deaf children with additional needs
Studies indicate that up to 40% of children with a hearing loss also have additional needs. This could include vision loss, autism, Down syndrome, ADHD, learning difficulties and anxiety. When this happens, it can add complexity, but with the right support, these children can thrive at home and school. What parents can do: Trust your […]
Research participation – Does your child wear hearing devices?
Childhood Listening and Environmental Acoustics in Real-life (CLEAR) Study – National Acoustics Laboratories (NAL) About the study: National Acoustic Laboratories (NAL), the research division of Hearing Australia, is inviting families to help them explore how young children (0-6 years old) who are deaf or hard of hearing. Your voices will help shape a new tool […]