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Hearing Impairment - Key Characteristics
Children with a hearing impairment may:
• rely on visual cues and lip-reading
• have some speech and language difficulties
• need ongoing support from a speech and language therapist
• need ongoing support from the local hearing impaired service
• need to wear a hearing aid
• have difficulties with hearing when there is background noise in the classroom
• misunderstand instructions and appear to copy others
• need to use some sign language
• have difficulty following audio or visual programmes.
A child who suffers with glue ear may:
• talk loudly and be unaware of the level of his voice
• have poor listening and attention skills
• experience difficulties with developing phonological skills
• often appear to be withdrawn or in a world of his own
• have difficulties interacting with more than one or two people at a time
• be unable to participate fully in group activities
• need to have the sound on the television or radio at a higher level
• need to have instructions repeated clearly and slowly
• find it difficult to participate in music or singing lessons
• put hands to his ears or head frequently (very young children may cry out with pain)
• have frequent ear, nose and throat infections.
• Support strategies
• Always alert parents if you are concerned about a pupil's hearing, as this is a medical condition and needs parental action. Within school it is important to support a child with glue ear by:
• speaking slowly and clearly, but not necessarily more loudly
• allowing him to sit where he can see your face
• making sure that you use the pupil's name to attract his attention
• having a low level of background noise when you are giving direct teaching to his group
• providing opportunities for him to work with a partner rather than in a group.