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Deafness

An adult and a child talking, with a speaker symbol being displayed for both of them.

Introduction

Deafness, or hearing loss, occurs when a part of the ear or auditory system malfunctions. This prevents sound signals from effectively reaching the brain. It can range from mild difficulty hearing conversational speech to total, profound loss. It can be temporary or permanent.

Types of deafness are:

This page provides information, advice and resources about deafness. You can also visit our page on Deafblind or Multi-Sensory Impaired.

There are two videos on YouTube that provide a good introduction to deafness:

Please note, some services / settings may refer to deafness as hearing impairment.

Advice and Support

Most babies are screened for deafness. This is soon after their birth as part of the NHS Neonatal Screening Programme. There are occasionally later diagnoses of permanent hearing loss.

Sensory Needs Service (SNS)

After initial assessments, SNS can support children and young people (0 to 25) in a variety of ways. This includes:

You can find out more about SNS on our 1Space directory. This includes their contact details:

You can also read our glue ear and auditory processing disorder policies:

NHS East Sussex Healthcare

Paediatric (children’s) audiology provides a comprehensive, family friendly, integrated screening, diagnostic and rehabilitation service. This is for babies and children with hearing difficulties. You can find out more on the NHS East Sussex website:

NHS

The main NHS website provides extra information and advice about hearing loss:

Role Model Days and Parent Workshops

We run Deaf Role Model Days where children (between school Year 1 to Year 6) get an opportunity to meet an adult who is deaf. We also offer workshops for parents of deaf children. They are designed to provide information, support, and guidance. Find upcoming dates on our activities and events page:

Amaze SENDIASS

Amaze SENDIASS (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Service) are a local charity. They offer free, independent, and impartial advice for all matters relating to SEND. Contact Amaze SENDIASS by:

Visit the Amaze SENDIASS web page.

Sign Language

Sign languages are visual languages that use different:

Sign languages have their own vocabulary, construction and grammar. This is the same as a spoken languages.

There are approximately 300 sign languages in the world. The most common sign languages used in the UK are British Sign Language (BSL) and Irish Sign Language (ISL). BSL is a distinct language with its own grammar and syntax.

Many deaf children who use sign might also use speech too. This is known as Sign Supported English (SSE). SSE uses signs from BSL but in the same word order as spoken English. This is often to support communication with those who are not proficient in BSL.

Sign systems such as Signalong and Makaton are different to sign languages.

You can find out more about sign language on the National Deaf Children's Society website:

Tips for Parents

Some tips for parents are:

  1. Face your child when you speak. Make sure your child can see your face clearly. Facial expressions, lip patterns and body language all support understanding.
  2. Reduce background noise. Where possible, turn off TVs, radios, or other distractions during conversations. This is especially important at mealtimes or homework time.
  3. Speak naturally and clearly. There’s no need to shout. Speak at a normal pace. Avoid exaggerating words as this can make speech harder to understand.
  4. Check understanding without pressure. Gently check your child has understood by asking them to explain things back in their own words, rather than asking “Did you hear?”
  5. Encourage your child to ask for help. Support your child to feel confident saying when they haven’t heard or understood something. This is an important life skill.
  6. Support hearing equipment use. Make sure hearing aids or other equipment are worn as recommended and are working properly. Build equipment checks into daily routines.
  7. Acknowledge listening effort. Listening with hearing loss is tiring. Be aware of fatigue, especially after school, and allow time to relax and recharge.
  8. Keep positive communication about deafness. Talk openly and positively about hearing loss. Help your child see deafness as just one part of who they are.
  9. Work closely with school and professionals. Keep in touch with teachers, the Teacher of the Deaf, and other professionals. Sharing information helps everyone support your child effectively.
  10. Trust your instincts and ask questions. You know your child best. If something doesn’t feel right, ask questions, seek advice, and advocate for your child’s needs.

Resources, Toys and Books

There are several resources, toys and books available both online and locally. This includes:

Dolls:

Books:

BSL versions of some books, including some free downloads:

Play Mat with BSL:

Printable resources and additional books:

Find Deafness Services

You can visit our SEND-specific online directory, hosted on East Sussex 1Space. The directory lists many different services both throughout the county and online. You can use filters within each category to find services specifically for those with deafness. This includes deafness services for categories such as:

Visit the East Sussex Local Offer directory, on 1Space.

Glossary of East Sussex SEND Terms

We explain some of the terms used on this website on our page, Glossary of East Sussex SEND Terms.

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