Hearing impairment

0-5

The child has mild hearing loss as shown below. Their needs can be met through access to whole group learning but they may require low level modification to the presentation of materials. Environmental considerations may also need to be considered.

• hearing loss classified as mild loss, conductive or unilateral (21-40dB)
• children with a unilateral (hearing loss in one ear) or mild loss may be making satisfactory progress but are at risk of falling behind
• children sometimes mishear words or instructions and need reinforcement and reassurance before beginning activities
• fluctuation in attention; may struggle to listen for long periods of time
• difficulty in understanding peers in group discussions or when playing; this could lead to anxiety and feeling isolated
• for children with a conductive element to their loss, frequent ear infections and absences for medical appointments
• a child with a unilateral loss may struggle to locate sounds and voices, especially during play and when there is a lot of background noise
• the child has a reoccurring conductive deafness (may be associated with middle ear infections, temporary perforated eardrums)

5-16

The pupil has a classified hearing loss (see descriptor below). The pupil’s needs can be met through access to whole class learning but they may require low level modification to the presentation of materials. Environmental considerations may also need to be considered.

• hearing loss classified as mild loss, conductive or unilateral (21-40dB)
• pupils with a unilateral (hearing loss in one ear) or mild loss may be making satisfactory progress but are at risk of falling behind
• pupils sometimes mishear words or instructions and needs reinforcement and reassurance before beginning tasks
• fluctuation in attention; may struggle to listen for long periods of time
• difficulty in understanding peers in group discussions or on the playground; this could lead to anxiety and feeling isolated
• for children with a conductive element to their loss, frequent ear infections and absences for medical appointments
• a pupil with a unilateral loss may struggle to locate sounds and voices, especially during PE or sport and when there is a lot of background noise
• the pupil has a reoccurring conductive deafness (may be associated with middle ear infections, temporary perforated eardrums)