Hearing impairment
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Service changes and visiting during the COVID-19 pandemic
During this COVID-19 pandemic there may be changes in the way some of our services work. Contact the service directly to check how services are being delivered and follow their advice.
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Hearing impairment
Specialist Hearing Impairment Speech and Language Therapists (SLTs) work with children from 6 months old who have a severe-profound hearing loss in both ears. This is also known as ‘bilateral sensori-neural severe-profound hearing loss’.
SLTs in the community have additional training to work with children who have a mild-moderate hearing loss.
Who do we work with?
Children who
- have hearing aids
- have cochlear implants
- use British Sign Language to communicate
We work regularly with Teachers of the Deaf, Nottingham Auditory Implant programme and Audiology.
Where do we work with children?
We see children at home, school / nursery or via teletherapy.
We also see children at the two schools in Nottingham which have a deaf focus provision:
- Firbeck Academy (moving to Mellers Primary School from September 2021)
- Nottingham University Samworth Academy (NUSA)
How can I support my child at home?
- Try to reduce background noise when you are talking together. Turn off the tv/radio or move to a quieter space. Be alert to background noise for example traffic outside, the washing machine, humming of the fridge and other similar background noises.
- When you are talking together, make sure your child can see your face clearly and that you are close by.
- If there are lots of you together, try to encourage just one person to talk at a time to reduce confusion.
- Be patient and encourage your child to say if they haven’t understood what you have said.
- Your child needs to wear their hearing aids everyday. Make sure they are in good working order. As your child gets older and gets used to their hearing aids, they will be able to tell you if their hearing aids aren’t working properly.
How can I support my child at school?
- Talk to your child’s school about their needs and strategies that work at home to support their hearing.
- Make sure they arrive in school wearing their hearing technology, for example their hearing aid. Ensure their hearing technology is in good working order. It may help to get into a night time routine of:
- charging batteries where needed
- checking and cleaning equipment
- keeping it safe overnight and easily accessible for the morning.
- Listening all day is really tiring and you might find that your child is particularly tired after a school day. It’s important to have some 'down time' for resting and relaxing. Your child’s school may be able to ensure some short breaks from listening during the school day.
If you have a Teacher of the Deaf they will also work closely with the school.
Where can I go for more information?
National Deaf Children’s Society
Nottinghamshire Deaf Society
Hear Together - Hearing loss support
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