How to communicate with child who doesn't respond to sound (awaiting diagnosis & support)

[LittleSausageFingers]

My 10mo DD doesn't respond to sound. We don't know whether it's her hearing or something else, and wouldn't like to speculate yet. We are awaiting audiology tests (they couldn't do a VRA as she wouldn't respond to any sound, even 100db!) and have been referred for SALT, but I think it'll be a while before we have any answers or support really.

She's coming on really well in all other areas, she's a happy, affectionate, smiley, gurgling thing. Doesn't babble though and her verbal communication is really behind.

I was just wondering if anyone has had similar experiences, and how I can help her with her communication while we are waiting for SALT etc. I talk to her, read books, lots of songs with actions, pointing things out, etc. But I don't know if there's other things I could be doing. I really need to be able to get her to understand "no" as well, as she's getting into places she shouldn't be now she's mobile, but words don't work, so not sure how to get her to comprehend that.

Thanks in advance.

What about Makaton hand signals?

www.makaton.org/aboutMakaton/research

Thanks vivienne I will check that out. We do baby sign language classes, and I do the signs with her at home, but we go more for the social aspect! I shall definitely have a look at this.

As well as a referral to SALT, ask the audiologist for a referral to the local Sensory Support / Teachers of the Deaf service. They are teachers who work with you and your child both pre-school and at school, providing advice etc. We've had support from a ToD since our son was diagnosed at 3 months.

For more information about child hearing issues, the National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS) is very good; they also hold "newly diagnosed" weekends so you can meet parents in a similar situation.

Thanks Eggysmom that's really helpful. I will do that.

Google www.avuk.org, they are amazing and work with tiny babies, often before formal diagnosis and indeed helping you to steer your way through audiology. They've been amazing with my 2 profoundly deaf kids. Have you got any hearing aids (they can use ABRs to set these in some cases). VRA can be done from 4-6 months, so you should have some answers by now. My DD didn't hear anything until she was 2, she's now doing marvelously (LAMDA, music, dancing, above average reading, top sets in a mainstream school).....

Thanks Spaghetti I will have a look.

We had the VRA test, but DD wouldn't turn for any sound at all (they cranked it up to 100db and she was not bothered in the slightest), so they couldn't really do the test, and they wouldn't be drawn on what they thought. We have ABR test next week, provided she sleeps through it, otherwise they'll repeat at a later date under sedation. So at the moment we have no idea whether it's a problem with her hearing or some kind of behavioural/developmental thing. She really has absolutely no response to any kind of noise at all, doesn't babble etc, but she's so responsive in every other way, so it took us a while to notice that something was a bit amiss. Newborn screening test was fine though. I'm desperate for some answers now, but just waiting impatiently.

It's great to hear your DD is doing so well

look at Auditory Neuropathy and this blog www.alicesears.com. I've been exactly where you are. Vote for AV UK too.

Thank you hatchy. It's so frustrating! Desperate for a diagnosis and feeling a bit adrift at the moment really.