SIGN OF HEARING LOSS IN CHILDREN.

• Failure to startle or get frightened to sudden or loud sounds.
• Inability to locate source of sound.
• Generally requiring louder sound levels to respond.
• Lack of normal response to sound at age 6 months.
• Babbling ceases or change to more high -pitch screaming sounds around age 6-8 months or becomes monotonous.
• Failure of babbling to evolve into recognizable speech sounds and finally words during child's second year of life.
• Does not seem to notice or stop to listen or smile to mother's or caregiver's soothing sounds when being fed, dressed or cuddled.
• Failure to respond to simple commands by around age 1 year unless the child looks at the speaker's face or body movements.
• Frequently misunderstanding spoken directions or asks things to be repeated.
• Withdraws from social constant may develop behaviour problems such as aggressive and temper tantrums out of frustration over the constant misunderstandings due to hearing loss.
• Frequent touch or pulling one or both ear, indicating pressure or ear infection.

CHALLENGES FACING PARENTS OF THE DEAF IN KENYA TODAY

The following are the challenges facing parents of Deaf children in Kenya

a) Access to information about deafness.
b) Access to services (e.g. educational, medical, auditory rehabilitation, assessment services).
c) How to cope with the effects of the emotional and social effects of deafness.
d) How to communicate with own deaf child.
e) How to help a deaf child to grow up normally like any other child.

MODE OF COMMUNICATION USED BY THE DEAF.

• Body Language e.g. Head movement, Gestures, Body posture etc
• Natural Signs e.g. Fat, Drink, Cut etc
• Lipreading
• Writing and Reading e.g. 2 people exchanging writing papers.
• Speech supported with Signs
• Signs supported with speech 
• Simultaneous Communication
• Kenya Sign Language