A hearing impairment means that a child or young person has a hearing loss that affects how they access sound and spoken language. Hearing loss can be mild, moderate, severe or profound, and may be present from birth or identified later in childhood.
Every deaf child or young person is different. Some use spoken language, some use sign language, and many use a combination of communication methods. Hearing impairment is not a learning disability, but it can affect how a child accesses learning, communication and social situations if the right support is not in place.
A hearing impairment may affect:
The impact can vary depending on the level of hearing loss, age of diagnosis, use of hearing technology, and the support available.
Bromley’s Sensory Support Service for Hearing Impairment supports children and young people aged 0–19 who have a diagnosed hearing loss.
The service includes:
Support is guided by the National Sensory Impairment Partnership (NatSIP) framework and is matched to the child or young person’s individual needs.
The peripatetic hearing team supports children (0-19 years) from the point of diagnosis and referral from audiology/ Ear Nose and Throat (ENT.) The team works closely with parents/families, preschools, schools and associated professionals. For more information see hearing team leaflet for pre-schools (PDF – 448.04 KB) or schools leaflet (PDF – 249.97 KB).
Children and young people are supported from the point of diagnosis. The team works closely with:
Support may include:
The voice of the child or young person and their family is central to all decisions.
Some children and young people may benefit from a specialist placement.
The primary deaf base at Griffins supports children who have a specialist placement from 3 to 11 years. They are on roll at Darrick Wood Infant and Nursery School or Darrick Wood Junior School. For more information see primary deaf base leaflet (PDF – 411.81 KB)
The secondary base for deaf children and young people, the deaf centre at Darrick Wood School supports children 11-19 years who have a specialist placement and who are on role at Darrick Wood School. For more information see deaf centre at Darrick Wood School leaflet (PDF – 513.1 KB).
Places are allocated through an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and are for children and young people whose hearing loss has a significant impact on learning, language or emotional wellbeing.
deafPLUS provides a range of vital services to Bromley adults living with hearing loss and hearing impairment. Services include:
Find out more about the full range of services from deafPlus
This specialist service, run by Guy’s and St Thomas (GSTT) Children and Young People Audiology Centre at Evelina London Children’s Hospital, offers hearing assessments for babies, children and young people (up to 19 years of age if still in school) who may be at risk of having a hearing loss or who have failed a hearing test.
To use this service, you’ll need a referral from your doctor (GP), nurse, a teacher or other professional. If you are concerned about your child’s hearing you should first speak to one of these people, who may do a basic hearing test to see if there is a problem.
The assessment aims to identify severe hearing loss at the earliest possible age so that your child can get a hearing aid, referral to speech and language therapy or to teachers for the hearing impaired, if necessary. An early appointment with an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist through a joint clinic for anyone who might benefit from surgery.
