Hearing loss or deafness

Deafness or hearing loss happens when one or more parts of the ear are not working effectively. This can be temporary or permanent, gradual or sudden.

There are around 50,000 children with hearing loss in the UK. Around half are born with hearing loss while the other half lose their hearing during childhood. 

Page contents:

• Newborn hearing screening
• The signs of child hearing loss
• About hearing loss
• What to do for hearing loss in children
• Support with learning for a child with hearing impairment
• Support for families with a deaf child
• Further Information

Newborn hearing screening

One to two babies in every 1000 are born with a hearing loss in either one or both ears.  The hearing screening test will allow those babies who do have a hearing loss to be identified early. This enables early support to be put in place.

You can find out more about the newborn screening programme on the UHBW Trust website.  There is also a useful checklist so you can compare your child’s progress against approximate expectations at different ages.

Further information about this programme is on the NHS website.

The signs of childhood hearing loss

Some important things to look out for in children are:

• inattentiveness: your child isn’t acknowledging you speak or sounds around the house
• having to be closer to a speaker or television
• not reacting to loud sounds
• surprise when the child hears their name

About hearing loss

There are three types of hearing loss:

• sensorineural deafness (permanent hearing loss in the inner ear)
• Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder (where sounds are received normally by the cochlea but are unable to travel to the brain)
• conductive deafness (sound cannot pass efficiently through the outer and middle ear into the inner ear - can be caused by blockages such as wax in the outer ear, or fluid in the middle ear (glue ear).

Glue ear can be very common in children, especially those of pre-school age. This conductive deafness is usually temporary.

What to do for hearing loss in children

It is important that children who are experiencing hearing loss are taken to the doctor in the first instance. The doctor will be able to determine if there is an ear infection or something that requires a specialist referral.

If your child is under16 they would be referred to The Children's Hearing Centre

For children over 16, they would be referred to the NHS Audiology service

Support with learning for a child with hearing impairment

The level of support for a school-age child will depend on their need and stage of education, support is allocated according to certain criteria.

The Sensory Support Service can provide support for your child in their education learning environment. They have details of their local offer for children with hearing impairments in age-related sections.

Support for families with a deaf child

The  Family Centre (Deaf Children) bring together families living with deafness at social activities, they also provide information and signposting. They work from the primary site of the Elmfield School for Deaf Children.

Further Information

Visit the National Deaf Children’s Society website for a vast amount of information and support.

For general information in hearing loss check out Action on Hearing Loss

Find out more on hearing loss from the NHS