Is your child d/Deaf?
Our Expert Speech & Language Therapists Provide Evidence Based, Quality Therapy to Help d/Deaf Children
Some Facts About d/Deafness
d/Deafness may also be referred to as being hard of hearing, a hearing loss, a hearing impairment, or being deafened. It is an individual’s choice as to how they would like their hearing to be described.
Hearing loss can have many different causes, which may affect how it is treated or the child is supported. It can be congenital (present from birth), progressive, or acquired through illness or injury.
'd/Deafness’ can refer to all manners of hearing loss. Hearing impairments can range from mild (not able to hear sounds quieter than 21-40dB) to profound (not able to hear sounds less than 90dB) hearing little or no sound. For some people their deafness may only affect certain sounds, or when they are in certain environments.
There are two main types of d/Deafness;
Sensorineural deafness (nerve deafness) is a hearing loss in the inner ear. This usually means that the cochlear or auditory nerve isn't working effectively. Sensorineural deafness is permanent.
Conductive deafness is where sounds can't pass efficiently through the outer and middle ear into the inner ear. This is often caused by blockages such as wax in the outer ear, or fluid in the middle ear (glue ear). Glue ear is very common, especially in pre-school children due to their anatomy. Conductive deafness is often temporary, but can be permanent.
A child may also have ‘mixed deafness’, a combination of both.
Approximately half of all children with hearing loss are born deaf; the other half develop d/Deafness during childhood.
Children with Hearing Impairment can Struggle With:
Hitting early communication milestones, such as responding to their name.
Developing their understanding of language without additional support or an inclusive communication environment.
Understanding what others are telling them.
Developing their expressive communication (spoken language or use of alternative communication methods) without additional support or an inclusive communication environment.
Making and maintaining friendships with others if they cannot be understood.
If the child uses speech as their primary means of communication, being understood by others due to speech sound difficulties.
Having a different voice quality; for example, some children might sound very nasal.
Communicating verbally with others. They may benefit from using a visual form of communication such as sign language or a communication board.
Being described as ‘being in their own world’. This can be reflective of an undiagnosed hearing loss.
d/Deaf Children and Communication Skills
Here are some of the ways that good speech and language therapy can help children with Hearing Impairment and their families:
Supporting the child to develop their understanding of language using means accessible to the child.
Supporting the child to develop their expressive communication – this may be by talking, or using an alternative method such as Sign language or a picture-based system.
Teaching the child’s family and education team how to communicate best with them.
Supporting the child to develop the accuracy and control of their speech sounds, if the child wants to talk.
Facilitating a positive and inclusive communication environment for the child, and supporting those around them to adopt this environment.
Teaching the child to use an alternative or supportive means of communication when necessary. For example, Sign language or a visual communication book.
Signposting families to appropriate and reliable sources of information and support.
Tips For Parents on How to Support Children With Hearing Impairment:
While you play with your child, provide a commentary using simple language to comment on what they are doing rather than asking them what they are doing. Use as many visual cues as possible to support your language, or use Signs if appropriate.
If you’d like to learn some basic Makaton Signs to use with your child, watching ‘Something Special’ (Mr Tumble) on CBeebies is a great place to start – watch the programme together and practice your Signs!
Copy sounds, words and signs back to your child when they attempt to communicate. Always model the correct pronunciation/ word/ sign even if your child has made a slight error in theirs, but don’t make your child copy you.
Always ensure your child can see you when you're talking. This is so that they can see the shapes your mouth makes when talking, as this can aid comprehension. Try not to move around while you’re talking!
Gain your child’s attention before communicating with them. This might mean a gentle tap on the shoulder, or waving at them.
To support group conversations, set a system to show who is talking and allow turns. For example, getting each person to wave their hand when they start talking.
Reduce background noise. If a child uses a hearing aid or cochlear implant, this will amplify all noises which can make it difficult to zone in on your voice over everything else.
Don’t give up! If your child cannot understand what you are telling them, try a different method of communicating your message. Can you write or type it? Can you act it out or draw it, or show them what you’re saying?
How Our Speech and Language Therapy Can Help Deaf Children and Young People
We assess each child’s needs holistically and design our treatment plans around the unique needs of each child. At the centre of everything we do are the goals, aspirations and expectations of the child and their family.
Here are some of the many evidence-based therapy approaches and frameworks we are specially trained to use to help children with Hearing Impairment develop their communication skills:
British Sign Language
Makaton and Signalong Sign Language
AAC approaches
Elklan
Total communication and inclusive communication environments
Visual coding (Colourful Semantics and Shape Coding)
Working with Deaf People Part 1 & 2
How Can we Help You and Your Child?
If you’re interested in how our expert speech and language therapy can help your child with Hearing Impairment, click below to request a free telephone consultation with one of our therapists or to book an initial assessment appointment. We will assess your child’s strengths and needs and design a therapy package to suit your child’s unique learning style, and your budget. We can also support children and young people in the over one hundred schools that commission our schools speech and language therapy service.
