Troy Kotsur appeared in a new episode of the “Dad Saves America” podcast alongside host John Papola to provide information about how hearing parents can best raise a deaf child

Troy Kotsur is using his personal experience to offer advice for raising children who are deaf.

The Oscar-winning actor and father, 54, appeared in a new episode of the “Dad Saves America” podcast alongside host John Papola to provide information about how hearing parents can best raise a deaf child.

Papola notes that around 11 million Americans are hard of hearing and around 1 million are functionally deaf, according to recent U.S. census data.

At nine months old, Kotsur’s parents discovered he was deaf. The actor praises his father and calls him his hero for his dedication to learning American Sign Language (ASL) and being so involved in giving him a life similar to that of a hearing child’s.

“On the surface, it would seem like an incredible challenge,” Papola says. “But as Troy’s life story proves, with the right mindset and resources, any parent can help their deaf or hard-of-hearing kids be set up for a full and flourishing life.”

In the clip, Kotsur — who stars in the 2021 feature film CODA, which stands for Children of Deaf Adults — shares his top five tips for parents raising deaf children.

Learn more about the top five tips: