(For a full list of resources see bottom of page)
What our service does
Our aim is to raise the achievement and life outcomes for deaf and hard of hearing children and young people.
We provide information, advice and support regarding educational management and all aspects of deafness/hearing impairment, including language and communication, Assistive Listening Devices (ALD) and social and emotional wellbeing.
We work closely with children and young people, their families/carers, staff in educational settings and other key professionals in the NHS and Social Care.
The level of support we offer ranges depending on the needs of the child or young person.
Who our service provides for
We provide advice and support to children and young people in their home or educational setting following a diagnosis of a hearing loss.
Hearing losses can be temporary, conductive or sensori-neural (permanent) and cause a loss in one ear (unilateral) or both ears (bilateral). Depending on the extent of the hearing difficulty, a child or young person may be fitted with one or two hearing aids and if there is a profound sensori-neural loss they may receive a cochlear implant.
For some children or young people who wear hearing aids, ALDs can be loaned to the school or setting to enable the teacher's voice to be heard more clearly. The teacher (or person leading assembly, for example) wears or holds a transmitter microphone that sends speech signals to the listener, who wears receivers attached to their hearing aids. The service identifies who would benefit from an ALD and discusses this with the school or setting.
How a child or young person can access the service
Most referrals come to the service either through the Newborn Hearing Screening Programme or from the Audiology Departments based within various hospitals.
Referrals can also be made directly by professionals within educational settings with family/carer consent.
Charities and Services
Ewing Foundation
The Ewing Foundation is a national charity, promoting inclusion and achievement for deaf children through listening and speaking.
The Advisory Teachers of Deaf and Hard of Hearing work with a Specialist Audiology Technician from the Ewing Foundation to set-up and regularly monitor the assistive listening devices loaned to pupils.
National Deaf Children's Society
NDCS are the leading charity for deaf children and young people. They are there to support every deaf child who needs them.
UK Council on Deafness
Equality. Access. Freedom of choice. The BDA is the UK's leading membership organisation and registered charity led by Deaf people, for Deaf people.