2026 Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Conference
March 15-17, 2026 • Jacksonville, FL
3/10/2025 | 1:55 PM - 2:25 PM | How Do You Tell Them Their Child Is Deaf? | 306/307
How Do You Tell Them Their Child Is Deaf?
Words matter. A childhood hearing loss diagnosis is life altering not only for the child, but for the entire family. How this information is given can drastically affect the journey a family travels. This presentation will share three family experiences of learning their child’s hearing loss diagnosis and what supports and resources were provided. We will discuss what happened, the good, the bad and the ugly. Learn what worked and what they wished had happened from the family’s perspective. Discover how you can help start the family out on a more positive path towards acceptance and the resources and supports needed to guide their child towards success.
- Attendees will recognize the impact of how a diagnosis is share has on the family.
- Attendees will be able to list resources to offer parents at time of diagnoses.
- Attendees will identify the benefits of family to family connections.
Presentation:
3545975_18301ChristinaPayne.pdf
Handouts:
Handout is not Available
Transcripts:
CART transcripts are NOT YET available, but will be posted shortly after the conference
Presenters/Authors
Christina Payne
(Primary Presenter), WV Hands & Voices, Christina.Payne@wvhandsandvoices.org;
Christina lives in Romney, West Virginia with her husband Barry and the youngest of their three children, Jenna. Jenna's birth propelled them into uncharted territories; not only was she the first girl in the family but she was born with a progressive hearing loss and was later diagnosed with autism. Walking alongside and guiding Jenna on her journey although challenging has been one of the most rewarding experiences of Christina's life. Taking from her family's experiences and lessons learned along the way, Christina's passion is to see that other families have the support and tools needed to help their children be happy and successful.
ASHA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
• Receives Consulting fee for Independent contractor from West Virginia Hands & Voices.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.
AAA DISCLOSURE:
Financial -
Financial relationship with West Virginia Hands & Voices, West Virginia Newborn Hearing Screening Project.
Nature: Words matter. A childhood hearing loss diagnosis is life altering not only for the child, but for the entire family. How this information is given can drastically affect the journey a family travels. This presentation will share three family experiences of learning their child’s hearing loss diagnosis and what supports and resources were provided. We will discuss what happened, the good, the bad and the ugly. Learn what worked and what they wished had happened from the family’s perspective. Discover how you can help start the family out on a more positive path towards acceptance and the resources and supports needed to guide their child towards success.
Nonfinancial -
No relevant nonfinancial relationship exists.