Hearing Support Team
Mild Hearing Loss
If your child has recently been diagnosed with a bilateral (affecting both ears) mild hearing loss and has been prescribed hearing aid(s), the audiologists in the clinic have most likely already referred you to the Sensory Support – Hearing Support Team.
However, if your child has been diagnosed with a temporary mild to moderate hearing loss, for example caused by glue ear, you will not need a referral to our team. Do not worry if you are not sure, you can still access the support we offer.
How do I access support for my child?
- Talk to the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo) at your child’s school or setting
- Email the following:
ssparentenquiry@birmingham.gov.uk
What support is offered for children and young people with mild hearing loss?
Children and young people diagnosed with bilateral (affecting both ears) mild hearing loss who have been issued hearing aids, will receive the following package of support:
Glue Ear
The following video by ENT Surrey, explains Glue ear, how it is treated, and what it could mean for a child with the condition.
Advice from a qualified teacher of the deaf
If your child has been recently diagnosed with a mild hearing loss and hearing aids have been recommended, the clinical audiologist has most likely already asked for your consent to be referred for support from the sensory support Hearing Support Team.
Once the Hearing Support Team receive a referral from an audiology clinic, a qualified teacher of the deaf or an educational audiologist will telephone the named parent or carer to offer advice and answer any questions related to the child’s hearing loss, its likely impact or the hearing technology prescribed. The advice is typically provided within the first few days from the day of referral.
If you were unavailable to answer the phone call, you will have had a voice message, or a text message left on your mobile phone with details of the Teacher of the Deaf who was trying to contact you. If you believe you have not been contacted and need advice, you can email us your details and we will contact you. You can also contact National Deaf Children’s Society for more advice
Please note that this package of support does not include the allocation of a visiting teacher of the deaf.
Free online training for parents, carers and professionals
The training video can be found at the top of this page.
The following article is about temporary hearing loss and may provide some useful information if your child has a temporary loss due to glue ear or other cause:
Management plans for children with mild hearing loss
A management plan contains a list of essential deaf-friendly strategies, which should be applied by adults working with your child in their nursery or school. These strategies will help maximise your child’s listening potential and access to learning at school. This is to help your child overcome any challenges he or she may experience as a result of their mild hearing loss. If your child attends a nursery or a school, the staff working with your child should have a copy of this document.
Other sources of information and support
If you would like to access more support and information about hearing loss in children, we recommend visiting the National Deaf Children’s Society – UK’s largest charity for deaf children. In addition to a wide range of information, National Deaf Children’s Society also provide a free telephone helpline.
You may also wish to explore BID Services, a local charity who offer support for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, visually impaired or have a dual sensory loss.