Hearing concerns

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 “daydreaming”
• 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. 

There are things you can do to help!

Improving the listening environment: 

• Reduce background noise where possible
• Consider where in the room is quietist 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

• East and West Staffordshire Children’s Community Audiology website
  
  
• Stoke and North Staffordshire Childrens Audiology website
  
  
• NHS Information on hearing problems
  
  
• National Deaf Children’s Society information