Hearing

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HealthWiki > Helping Children Who Are Blind > Chapter 11: Helping Your Child Know Where She Is (Orientation) > Hearing

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In this chapter:

 

In this chapter:

Hearing is especially important for a child who cannot see well because it gives her information about things that are not close by. Sounds help a blind child know what something is, where it is, and how far away it is. As often as you can, bring your child close enough to touch the object that is making the sound.

To help your child identify and locate sounds

Play a game where your child names everyday sounds at home and in the community — like a door closing, a chair scraping against the floor, or a sewing machine.

What's the sound you just heard, Juanita?

Who's making that chopping sound, Sylvie?

Mama

Play a guessing game in which your child identifies family members and animals by the sounds they usually make.

Azlina, that sounds like your cousins playing music. Can you go and find them?

You can also ask your child to move toward the sound.

Come and find me, Carmen.

Have your child listen to the sound of your footsteps as you walk toward her and then away from her. See if she can tell which way you are walking. Or clap your hands as you move closer and then farther away. Then stop and ask her to find you.

Teach your child to listen for how the sound of her footsteps (or her cane) changes when she is near a house or wall, and when there is open space. With practice, she can learn to tell how near things are by these sounds. These skills will help her when she is walking by herself in the community.

Listen to the sounds of your sandals, Lucianne. See how loud they are when we are near the house.

Your sandals sound different out in the field, Lucianne.

This page was updated:20 May 2021