Why You Need the Right Dentist for Your Kid With Hearing Impairment

If you have a child with hearing impairment, they may have a difficulty communicating with their dentist during examinations and treatments. Communication difficulties will arise if the dentist can't understand the child's expressions and the child can't hear the dentist. Here are a few mistakes that may complicate the issue even further:

Over Focusing on the Interpreter

A common solution for the miscommunication problem is to bring an interpreter, who may be a family member or a professional interpreter, to help the dentist and child communicate. Unfortunately, the two (dentist and interpreter) may end up focusing on each other at the expense of the child.

It's important for both to realize that the child should be the center of the communication since they are the ones being treated. Therefore, the dentist should look at the child and not the interpreter; they will be better able to pick out nonverbal cues this way. In the same vein, the interpreter should refrain from elaborating or editing the child's communication for the dentist.

Shouting at the Child

Many of those who haven't dealt with children with limited hearing assume (wrongly) that shouting helps. Unfortunately, shouting doesn't help because it may lead to distortion in the hearing aid's earpiece and distortion of lip movements (making it difficult to read the lips). Apart from that, some children with hearing impairment also get embarrassed when people shout at them. As long as the dental office is quite (which means background noise should be minimal), talking in a normal voice is much better for all parties concerned.

Not Helping the Child to Read the Dentists Lips

Most people with hearing impairment, even those with hearing aids, augment their communication skills by reading other people lips. Unfortunately, some things may make it difficult for your child to read the dentist's lips. For example, dentists usually wear masks, which cover up the mouth and make lip reading impossible. Dentists also have a tendency of talking to their patients throughout the treatment, even when not looking at the patients.

It's important to know that such communication may not reach the child. The dentist should remove the mask and look at the child each time they have something to say to the child.

As you can see, it's important to choose a pediatric dentist who has the skills and experience to deal with children with hearing difficulties. Doing otherwise will make it difficult for the child to get the treatment they deserve. If your child is hearing impaired, be sure to share these tips and talk to a dentist like those at Little Peoples Dentistry before your appointment.


Share