Hearing Impairment (HI)
What is Hearing Impairment (HI)?
Hearing impairment can range from mild to profound hearing loss in one or both ears. It can affect a child’s ability to hear spoken language, participate in conversation, and access auditory learning.
Challenges Children May Face at School
- Difficulty hearing in noisy classrooms
- Delayed language development
- Social challenges or isolation
- Struggling to follow verbal instructions
- Tiredness from concentrating to hear or lip-read
How We Support Children at School
- Use of hearing aids or radio aids where appropriate
- Seating near the teacher and facing the speaker
- Use of visual cues, sign support, and written instructions
- Staff trained in deaf awareness and inclusive communication
- Regular liaison with the Local Authority Hearing Impairment team
Working in Partnership with Families
- We work closely with audiologists and NHS support services
- Home-school diaries to support communication
- Regular reviews with families and involvement in target setting
Celebrating Strengths and Progress
Children with hearing impairments often develop strong visual learning and attention to detail. We celebrate their confidence, perseverance, and unique ways of communicating.