My child is having difficulties with their hearing

If you are concerned about your child’s hearing, please speak to your Health Visitor or GP to request a referral to the Audiology Department for a hearing test.

Children can have difficulties with their hearing for a number of reasons. These difficulties can be temporary due to illness or glue ear or can be longer term, for example in sensorineural hearing difficulties where the nerves are affected (This type of deafness is permanent and is usually diagnosed following the Newborn Hearing Screen).

Children may also have difficulties with listening to or processing what is being said due to a number of reasons including tiredness, background noise, developing attention skills or language difficulties.

Attention and listening skills develop over time. It is normal for children (particularly younger children) not to realise they are being spoken to if they are concentrating on something or are distracted. They are probably not ignoring you!

What you might notice:

no response to sudden noises
no response to being spoken to
needing the television turned up louder
pulling or rubbing their ears
difficulties with balance
speech and/or language difficulties

Tips to make it easier for your child to hear you

Reduce background noises such as the TV or washing machine, to make it easier for your child to hear you and to focus on what you are saying.
Sit face-to-face so that your child can see your face and see what you are looking at.
Make sure your face is not in shadow. Make sure your child can see your facial expressions and mouth movements. Think about where the light source is coming from, for example, you may need to move if the window or lamp is behind you.
Get your child’s attention before speaking to them e.g. by touching their hand or arm or by calling their name.
Don’t shout. Shouting can distort the words which may make it more difficult to understand. Shouting may make your child think that you are annoyed with them or that they have done something wrong.