Hearing concern
Hearing difficulties can impact on many areas of development, including language and communication.
Every child has a hearing assessment soon after birth.
If you have concerns about a child’s hearing speak to their parents to see if they have identified any issues. Suggest parents speak to their health visitor or GP who can make a referral to audiology.
Signs to look out for
- Change in attention levels
- Deterioration in work
- Change in behaviour
- Increased "day dreaming"
- Varying ability from week to week / month to month
Often temporary hearing loss in children is caused by Glue ear (fluid in the middle part of the ear). The level of hearing loss can fluctuate, meaning that children may display some of the signs above on some days but not others. Further information is available on Glue ear.
National Deaf Children's Society - Glue ear
There are things you can do to help?
- Reduce background noise where possible
- Consider where in the room is quietest or if another room will be quieter
- Rooms with soft furnishings reduce echo
- Sit where the light falls on the speaker's face, rather than where they have their back to the light
- Sit where any distractions from behind the speaker will be reduced.
Further information
Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust - East and West Staffordshire Children's Community Audiology website
University Hospitals of North Midlands - Stoke and North Staffordshire Children's Audiology website
NHS - hearing problems
National Deaf Children's Society - information