Books for kids with hearing loss are a life saver resource! Reading can improve the brain in brilliant ways, and parents of kids with hearing loss should take it seriously.
It’s crucial to have resources that help kids with hearing loss understand and empathize with different experiences. Whether you are a parent, teacher, or caregiver, finding the right books to explain hearing loss to kids can be challenging. This guide is here to help! I’m a deaf author from Brazil and I’ve curated a list of the best books about hearing loss for kids, featuring engaging stories, relatable characters, and valuable lessons.
Books about hearing loss written by people with hearing loss are true gems. I became a deaf author because I couldn’t find the books I needed while navigating college and my feelings about my hearing disability. The first books I encountered focused on sign language, the Deaf community, and Deaf culture, which didn’t resonate with me. I love hearing and I don’t use sign language. I felt frustrated because there were no books about someone like me—a young woman with progressive hearing loss who wore hearing aids at the time and later received cochlear implants.
Sharing my story turned into a tremendous opportunity. I never imagined it would lead me to establish the largest online community for people with hearing loss in Brazil and Latin America. I am incredibly proud of my work as a deaf writer, which has positively impacted thousands of lives in Brazil and beyond. In 2022, I published a new book, “Saia do Armário da Surdez” (translated as “Get Out of the Hearing Loss Closet”), to support those who hide their disability and avoid hearing aids due to shame and misconceptions. My goal is to have my work published in the US (please let me know if you can help).
You can connect with me on Instagram, YouTube (where I have a playlist with English captions), Facebook, and LinkedIn. My three books are available on Amazon Kindle, with two of them also in English and Spanish. I also write for the website Hearing Loss NEWS.
P.S. Portuguese is my first language. In my country, deaf people who use sign language identify as Deaf, while those who wear hearing aids or cochlear implants might use terms like deaf or person with hearing loss. Personally, I prefer deaf. Attempting to subcategorize people with the same disability is a form of ableism. There is no “right” way to be deaf or to refer to someone who is deaf. According to the World Health Organization, there are 1.5 billion people with some degree of hearing loss worldwide, most of whom have mild to moderate hearing loss.
The BEST BOOKS for KIDS with Hearing Loss
These books not only educate but also inspire and support children with hearing loss, fostering an inclusive environment where every child feels understood and valued. Read on to discover our top picks that will enrich your child’s reading experience and broaden their understanding of hearing loss.
Ada is a dancing, deaf fox with cochlear implants who loves to help others. On her way to dance in a talent show one day, she meets three other creatures who are each facing a physical challenge or disability of their own. She decides to help each of her new friends to see past their challenges and discover their natural, God-given strengths. But can they help her in return? Ada’s a bit nervous about the talent show!
Will she be able to hear the music clearly? Will everyone laugh at her?
Pick up a copy of Ada and the Helpers today and follow Ada and her new friends on an exciting new adventure that inspires friendship, helping others, inclusion, and finding your strengths. Plus, your child can learn the ASL alphabet at the same time! The rhyming nature of the story is welcoming for hearing kids, but is especially helpful for young children who are hard-of-hearing. As an adult, you’ll love the surprise ending that brings all the nostalgic feels for your inner 80’s child!
Extraordinary Jordyn and her Bionic Ears is an encouraging story about a young girl passionate about space and self-advocacy. Join Jordyn as she overcomes judgment for her cochlear implant and hearing aid, uplifting children embracing their unique differences.
Super Hearing is a celebration of life with hearing aids, here to educate and encourage acceptance in every form. A kind and inclusive story, this book combines a child’s first-person experience living with hearing aids, with beautiful illustrations to connect kids of all hearing ranges.
Looking for a book that can help your child understand hearing loss and acceptance? Look no further than “Jack and the Crunchy Leaves: My First Hearing Aids” written by Kenn Heyder based on his personal experience with hearing loss.
In this charming picture book, young readers will follow the story of Jack, a young boy who experiences sounds he has never heard before. As he navigates his new reality with hearing loss, children will learn about the impact it can have on daily life and the importance of acceptance and understanding.
With its colorful illustrations and relatable characters, “Jack and the Crunchy Leaves” is ideal for young children under 8 who are just starting to learn about hearing aids and hearing loss. By incorporating the perspective of a young child throughout the book, young readers will feel like they are part of the story.
At the end of the book, your child will discover the power of hearing aids, just like Jack did. “Jack and the Crunchy Leaves” is a must-read for parents of children with hearing loss, as well as educators who want to raise awareness and understanding for this condition.
Written by Dr. Stacey Armas, a pediatric audiologist and passionate advocate for children with hearing loss, “My Hearing, My Way” delivers a powerful message through rhymes and beautiful illustrations. By following children with hearing devices as they turn them into unique accessories that reflect their individuality, children learn valuable lessons about celebrating their differences and empowering young readers to embrace their uniqueness.
Perfect for families, educators, and young readers, “My Hearing, My Way” offers a unique blend of self-expression, confidence-building, and hearing health advocacy. Audiologist Dr. Stacey Armas’ expertise and dedication to the field make this empowering children’s book an invaluable resource for promoting acceptance, encouraging full-time hearing aid use, and fostering a positive mindset toward hearing loss.
Zola Gets Hearing Aids
Zola has a problem. She does not hear as well as other kids. Today is the day she goes to the doctor, a special doctor, to check her hearing. Zola is worried because she has heard all about those kids who do not hear well. Her greatest fear is having to wear a hearing aid. She is worried about how her friends will react if she has to get a hearing aid and wear it to school. Will they tease her? Will she be bullied or will they accept her and still be her friend? Not sure about what the day will bring, with great sadness and frustration, she pushes back her blanket and gets out of the bed to go to the doctor’s office.
ANY QUESTIONS?
Paula Pfeifer is a brazilian deaf writer, a Social Scientist, content strategist, speaker and consultant. She is also a accessibility and disability advocate and activist. She lives in Rio de Janeiro and has a son, Lucas.. Two of her books about hearing loss, hearing aids and cochlear implants can be found in english and spanish in Kindle. Support Paula Pfeifer’s work. You can support here!
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