Page 42 - MAY_2017

Selective hearing can be defined as the
tendency of some children to select what
they hear, and either tune in or out of
what is being said to them. The difference
between this and the effective use of the
Cocktail Party Effect is that children are
often described as selecting the ‘wrong’
source of noise to listen to. The word ‘select’
implies a choice. If selective hearing is not
behavioural and is quite pervasive, then it
may not be a choice.
Selective hearing does not necessarily
involve whether a child can hear or not. In
fact, many children with selective hearing
have perfect hearing levels. Selective
hearing often has to do with the processing
part of our auditory system; the part where
the sound information reaches our brains.
Things that can lead to a child’s selective
hearing include:
• Are you saying too much? – Remember
kids have short attention spans. Don’t
give them five instructions to follow,
stick to one or two key instructions at
a time.
• Are they focusing on something else?
– Kids can become engrossed in the
activities they are doing (it’s great
for their concentration, not so great
for parents though). Make sure when
speaking to you child, you have their full
attention.
• Are you doing something else when
speaking to your child? – Children
respond better when you are giving
them your full attention. Even though
you’re busy with a million things, try to
speak to them face-to-face when asking
them to do something.
• Are you Criticising? – Kids will tune out
if you’re constantly criticising them; it a
natural behaviour.
• Do you order or beg your kids? – If you’re
ordering your kids around like it’s the
army or begging them to do the things
you ask, chances are they’ll learn not to
listen to you.
• Do you follow up words with actions? –
42 may 2017 | mychild
You must be consistent with this and if
you’ve asked them to tidy up their toys
or no TV, then that means no TV. If you
don’t follow up, you are teaching your
kids to ignore you.
WHAT TO DO TO HELP YOUR CHILD WITH
SELECTIVE HEARING?
Selective hearing can’t be cured with a
magical wand, but there are things you
can do to help your child improve their
listening skills. For everyday cases of
selective hearing, here are some top tips
on how to regain your child’s attention.
• Look at me - Ensure your child has time
to stop what they are doing, turn and
face you, and make eye contact.
• Clarify - Ask your child to repeat back or
summarise what you just said to check
understanding.
• Make it visual - If you’re asking your child
to do something as part of a routine,
print out some pictures to remind them
visually of what is required. Stick them
on the fridge or somewhere communal
for easy access.
• Positive reinforcement - When your child
starts to become successful at listening
and less selective, reward them with
verbal praise or a small treat for their
good listening skills.
• Reverse the roles - If your child asks you
to do something, try to get your child to
impress any of the above four tips back
on you as a parent!
These simple tips should help your child
build good listening skills, it will take time
and dedication but the results will be
worthwhile for both parties. If these tips
don’t help or if you suspect your child has
challenges around any aspect of auditory
processing or attention, contact either your
doctor, a speech pathologist, audiologist
or occupational therapist for further help.
Aimee York is the Director and the Principal
Occupational Therapist of KinderCloud.