Hearing loss or deafness occurs when sound signals do not reach the brain. It is caused by a problem in the hearing system. There are many causes of deafness. Some children are born deaf (congenital deafness) and others may become deaf later (acquired deafness).

Hearing loss can affect one ear (a unilateral loss) or both ears (a bilateral loss). Deafness can be described in levels - mild, moderate, severe or profound.

Types of hearing loss

There are two main types of hearing loss; conductive and sensorineural. It is possible to have a combination of both types and this is known as mixed hearing loss.

Conductive 

This happens when a blockage, such as ear wax, stops sound passing from the outer ear to the inner ear.

Sounds will become quieter and things might sound muffled. The most common cause during childhood is a temporary build-up of fluid in the middle ear known as ‘glue ear’.

It is usually temporary but it can be permanent. 

Sensorineural

This is caused by damage to the hair cells inside the inner ear, or damage to the hearing nerve, or both. It makes it more difficult to hear quiet sounds and reduces the quality of sound.

Sensorineural hearing loss is permanent.

Hearing loss can have an impact on:

• Listening skills
• Attention and concentration – tiring easily due to lipreading and listening
• Language development – spoken and written
• Communication skills
• Memory – working and auditory
• Multi-tasking – listening/lipreading and/or watching demonstrations at same time
• Access to audio visual resources
• Incidental learning
• Social skills

It is important to consider that every child or young person with a hearing loss is different.

Their levels of hearing loss, methods of communication and use of hearing technology can vary widely.

To ensure that everyone is included in what you are doing, make sure that you find out what the individual needs are before activities take place.

There are lots of ways you can try and support a child or young person with a hearing loss. 

Strategies

Some of these strategies include:

• Make sure you have the child or young person’s attention before you start speaking
• Maintain eye contact
• Speak clearly, with normal speech rhythms - shouting distorts voice and lip patterns
• Support lip reading - ensure your face is well-lit and visible
• Avoid environments with excess noise and move away from any background noise
• Repeat, rephrase or explain what you are trying to say
• Use non-verbal strategies - facial expression, body language and gesture, visuals
• Encourage the use of hearing technology/equipment as appropriate

Further support

• National Deaf Children's Society provide information and support for deaf children, young people and their families, and professionals.
• Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID) provide support for people who are deaf, have hearing loss or have tinnitus.

The team of Hearing Support Specialist Teachers work with Children and Young People 0 to 25 years with or without Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) in homes, mainstream schools (maintained and academies), some non-maintained nurseries, some specialist provision and in some colleges.

Who the service provides for

Support is provided for children and young people who have a diagnosed hearing loss and meet the criteria according to the NatSIP Eligibility Framework. A medical referral is required from relevant medical professionals.

Support may include:

• Support with parents/carers/settings/schools to help them understand the implications of a hearing loss
• Help to develop a child’s listening skills
• Support with language development and communication
• Help to explain audiological information and liaise with audiology
• Monitor and record progress with written reports as necessary
• Contribute to annual review, review meetings and multi-professional meetings
• Loan of specialist equipment as appropriate
• Provide training and advice on maintenance and management of specialist equipment
• Input into SEN support plans
• Provide advice on the acoustic environment
• Work with the child/young person as appropriate
• Liaise with other professional services and agencies
• Provide opportunities for parents/carers to meet and share experiences at pre-school groups
• Advice and support at setting/school transfer
• Advice on classroom management strategies
• Support to ensure access to the curriculum
• Observe in the classroom to support and inform inclusive practice
• Work closely with the class teachers to assess children's educational needs
   

Contact Specialist Teachers

Telephone: 01494 475199
E-mail: sts@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

Auditory Processing Disorder (APD):

Buckinghamshire Hearing Support Specialist Teachers do not currently provide direct support for children and young people who have APD and normal levels of hearing.

If a deaf child also has been diagnosed with APD, we are able to provide our usual levels of support.

Aimed at practitioners the Local Area Position Statement for APD is designed to improve the consistency of approach amongst professionals and reduce uncertainty for families.