Hearing impairment

Overview

We use the term ‘deaf’ to refer to all levels of hearing impairment in children, including a partial or total loss of hearing and children who have glue ear.

Possible causes include:

a genetic (inherited) reason - around half of deaf children born in the UK each year are deaf because of genetics.
complications during pregnancy.
being born prematurely, this can increase the risk of a child being deaf or becoming deaf.
a head injury or exposure to loud noise can damage the hearing system.

These causes of deafness are explained in more detail on the National Deaf Children's Society's website, however the true cause of deafness is only identified in 40 to 50% of children.

More information can also be found in the Deafness publication.

How do I get a diagnosis?

If you are concerned about your child’s hearing, we advise that you speak to your GP first. You can also speak to your health visitor, school nurse or other health professional.

They will refer you to an audiologist who specialises in identifying and diagnosing a range of disorders affecting the ears. They will be able to give you more information about:

the level of your child’s deafness
the sounds that your child can and cannot hear
the next steps.

The Children's Audiology department is based at the Derby Royal Hospital.

Children may not need a diagnosis of any condition to get support at school. Your child’s school will do its best to give your child the support they need.

Support services for hearing impairment

Specialist Teaching and Psychology Service (STePS)

Our STePs team provides support for children with a hearing impairment.

They offer a range of services including:

providing information advice, support and guidance to parents, families, carers and teachers of babies, children and young people with hearing impairment
individual tuition
in-class advice and support for CYP, teachers, teaching assistants and support workers
audiological assessment
language assessments
training for school / early years setting staff in deaf awareness and specifically to enable them to support a named child.

For parents of children with a new diagnosis, STePS has produced a Children and young people with hearing impairment leaflet.

To contact the STePS team, telephone 01332 641400 or email stepsadmin@derby.gov.uk.

Derby SEND Information Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS)

SENDIASS offers free, confidential, impartial advice and support to parents, children and young people up to the age of 25 about Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND). They can also guide you through the SEND processes and procedures.

To find out more about the support that SENDIASS offers, visit the SENDIASS website.

hearWHO app - World Health Organisation

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has developed the hearWHO app which gives the public access to check their hearing status. However, if you have a serious concern, please contact your GP.