5 Tips for Helping Hard-of-Hearing Babies and Toddlers Catch Some Zzz’s
Sleep is great for your child’s mental and physical development— but it can be challenging to get a good night’s rest when your little one is living with a hearing condition. Research highlights that medical conditions are one of the top factors that disrupt the sleep quality of children. Unfortunately, this bounces back: poor sleep quality can further aggravate a child's condition, and continue the cycle.
This can be very concerning for parents who simply want the best for their child’s health and well-being. Here are a few tips for parents who want to help children with hearing impairments get a good night's sleep.
Make your child more comfortable at night
Children that are hard of hearing may be afraid to be left alone in the dark without being able to sense anything.
Reassurance and security are important for children. You can give them a hug every night, and gently gesture that you’re leaving the room so they won’t be surprised by your absence. You can also put up rotating light mobiles that cast faint but cute patterns on their bedroom walls so that their room won't be pitch black.
Establish a proper nighttime routine
The “best” bedtime routine may look different for each child, but experts point out that there are key dos and don’ts.
Board-certified pediatrician Vincent Iannelli has worked with kids for over 20 years, and advises that bedtime routines must be appropriate for the age of your child. Providing a stuffed animal may be dangerous for babies, but it can be comforting for kids that are one year old and above. Having an early bedtime routine can also be great for your little one, and you can adjust accordingly as they grow older.
Improve their sleeping environment
While there are certainly no monsters under your kid’s bed, certain details in their bedroom may be keeping them up at night.
For instance, light highly affects your child’s circadian rhythm, so bright lights can easily disrupt their sleep cycle. Since the lightest stage of their sleep occurs around 3-6 AM, they may wake up and find it difficult to go back to sleep if they’re exposed to brightness. In this case, investing in blackout curtains or dimmer night lights can help your child sleep better.
Set up a program for your child
While changes in their sleep routine are certainly helpful, your child may need greater support for their hearing conditions.
If their hearing condition has become very disruptive at night, you can work with an audiologist as they counsel patients with auditory impairments. They will be able to create a program based on your child’s needs. Their knowledge of treatment technologies and equipment will be an advantage as you test out different strategies that can help your child. Through these personalized programs, your child may eventually find relief from hearing and sleeping difficulties.
Invest in sound-generating devices
Aside from trying personalized programs, professionals may recommend devices to help your child sleep better at night.
Kids struggling with tinnitus can find relief during sleeping time with the help of sound-generating devices. These gadgets are often placed in the bedroom to emit natural sounds that relieve users from constant ringing sounds in their ears. These sounds are also very relaxing, making it easier for your child to get some zzz’s.
Your child will be happier and healthier once their sleep quality improves. So if you need help getting your child to go to sleep, check out our sleeping solutions at Little Hippo. Our all-in-one alarm clock and sleep trainer can even help your child sleep longer, so that you can get a good night's rest, too!
Written by Maeve Luna for littlehippo.com
Also in Blog
Creating a Safe and Comfortable Nursery: The Role of Kelvin
The Psychological Benefits of Color in Children's Sleep Training
