While Australian Baby Hands products were developed to help aid the communication of pre-verbal “normal” hearing children I feel strongly that we should ensure that we support the Deaf community and use Auslan as best we can.

This week is Hearing Awareness Week.  One in six people in Australia suffer from some form of hearing loss and for many using sign language is their main form of communication.

If you are worried that your child may suffer from any form of hearing loss here are some things that you may want to check:

Normal Progress for children;

• 0 – 4 months – is startled by loud noises and soothed by mother’s voice
• 4 – 6 months – turns eyes towards sounds and responds to mother’s voice
• 5 – 6 months – begins to “babble”
• 6 – 9 months – turns head towards sounds and responds to own name
• 9 – 12 months – copies simple words like “no” and “bye bye”
• 12 – 18 months – says some words and follows simple instructions
• Over 18 months – should be increasing vocabulary quickly

A child with a hearing loss may:

• not hear sounds
• not respond to own name
• begin to “babble”, then stop for no explicable reason and fail to use single words
• use very few words for their age
• misunderstand instructions, seem inattentive and/or restless
• appear to be naughty
• wait to see what others do first after instructions are given

Details and information care of DF child brochure

If you are concerened that your child sufferes from any form of hearing loss please consult with your doctor or local health care worker.

If you would like information on fun and interactive baby sign classes please contact one of our baby hands teachers.