A child will need a hearing assessment to find out what type and level of hearing loss may be affecting them. You should request a hearing assessment from a:
- Health Visitor
- School Nurse
- GP
depending on the child’s age. The health professional will decide if your child needs a referral. This could be to Audiology or ENT (ear, nose and throat). This will be for further investigation.
Common signs of hearing loss include:
- complaining about not being able to hear
- red ears in babies or pulling at their ears
- delayed speech and communication development
- watching what others are doing before doing it themselves
- talking too loudly or too softly
- constantly asking for repetition
- mishearing and mispronouncing words
- appearing inattentive or as though daydreaming
- not hearing what is going on if there is background noise
- not responding when called
- problems with concentrating
- tiredness and frustration that affects behaviour
- appearing isolated and less involved with social and group activities
- misunderstanding or ignoring instructions
- watching faces or lips intently
- difficulties with reading and learning phonics
- wanting the volume turned up high on the television
You can find out more about what to do if you are concerned from the NCDS.