What is deafness?
Hearing loss and deafness happens when sound signals don’t reach the brain. There are two main types: Sensorineural and Conductive hearing loss, and it is possible to have both, which is known as mixed hearing loss.
Identification – what you may see in the child or young person
- Making less than expected progress in phonics.
- Not having age-appropriate spoken language.
- Not having age-related vocabulary.
- They do not tell you when they haven’t heard or understood what you have said.
- Has difficulties with social interactions.
- Has difficulty forming and maintaining relationships with peers.
- Complains about or becomes upset by loud sounds.
- Struggles to ascertain the direction of sound.
- Appear distracted.
Planned provision in school
- Explicit instructions in phonics to be sure the student can say or sign the word, recognise it in print and in visual representation, discuss the word’s multiple meanings, and use it in its various contexts.
- Pre and post teaching vocabulary.
- Use of specialist equipment, for example hearing aids Assistive Listening devices (ALDs), soundfield systems, cochlear implants.
- Appropriate communication methods, for example BSL, Sign Supported English (SSE), Cued Speech and Visual Phonics.
- Modified resources as recommended by the Advisory Teacher of the Deaf.
- Support for speech and language development for social interaction, accessing education and overall wellbeing:
- Pragmatics: Practise using and understanding language in social situations
- Nonverbal skills: Talk about communicating through gestures, body language and turn taking
- Rich language environment: Encourage exposure to language through conversations, books and everyday experiences
- Check understanding and comprehension of new curriculum terms. Consider word lists or pre and post teaching of new words or use visual cues.
- Promoting a positive deaf identity
- Support and opportunity to contribute to their reviews and planning meetings
- Teach and practise self-advocacy skills, for example, the confidence to speak up if they can’t hear or understand the activity, highlighting positive role models, opportunities to engage in the deaf and/or hard of hearing community.
- For older pupils advice and guidance from a careers advisor, aware of the needs of children and young people who are deaf or hard of hearing, about preparation for adulthood and options available at post-16, work experience and independent living.
Resources for schools
Support services
- Request support from Devon’s Sensory or Physical Needs Team
- The Transitions Adult Social Care Service (TACS)
If you have concerns about a child’s hearing advise parent carers to book a GP appointment.
Further reading and information
- Resources and Information from Devon’s Sensory and Physical Needs Team (deaf and/or hard of hearing)
- Teaching phonics to deaf children: Guidance for teachers | National Deaf Children’s Society
- Deaf-friendly teaching: For primary school staff | National Deaf Children’s Society
- Secondary education: Information for professionals | National Deaf Children’s Society
- Devon’s preparing for adulthood transitions guide
Resources to share with parents
- Build your child’s deaf identity – Parenting and family life | National Deaf Children’s Society
- Books with deaf characters – BATOD
- Books with deaf characters – Reviews | National Deaf Children’s Society