Peripatetic Support Service

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Peripatetic Support Service

• Hearing Impairment

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Hearing Impairment may be

• Temporary often glue ear
• Permanent damage to auditory nerve
• A permanent loss made worse by glue ear
• Mild, moderate, severe or profound
• Worse in high or low frequencies
• Present in one ear or two
• Present at birth or acquired later
• Progressive

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Should you be concerned?

• He hears when he wants to
• She daydreams a lot
• Hes just ignoring me
• Misunderstands instructions
• Watches intently
• Behaviour
• Speech

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Permanent Childhood Hearing Impairment

• Permanent childhood hearing impairment is not a
  learning difficulty as such, but it can have a
  significant negative impact on a childs speech
  and language development, communication skills,
  social integration and educational progress.
• Poor test results indicate need for further
  investigation tests not standardised on HI.
• Prevalence is 1.33/1000 live births
• Hearing aids usually help, but they dont correct
  hearing the way glasses correct vision.

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Temporary Childhood Hearing Loss

• Usually glue ear
• Common in under 5s usually outgrown
• May affect speech development
• May affect concentration
• May affect behaviour
• Hearing may fluctuate
• Background noise makes things harder

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Children with a hearing impairment understand
more when

• They sit within a few feet of a speaker
• They can see a speakers face in good light
• The better ear (if any) is towards the speaker
• Hearing aids are working optimally
• FM systems are used as recommended
• Speakers use natural, clear speech
• Background noise is kept to a minimum
• They know the context of what is being said

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Deaf Friendly Classroom Strategies

• Have the pupils attention before speaking
• Be sure your face is in good light
• Speak clearly, using natural language
• Dont cover your mouth when speaking
• Dont turn your face away from the pupil when
  speaking
• Use visual clues and information
• Use handouts
• Write down new language
• Dont assume comprehension check discreetly

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Particularly difficult times

• Background noise e.g.canteen, technology, HE
• Group discussion one speaker at a time
• Discussion allow pupil to turn round
• Change of topic
• Listening and writing at the same time
• Relay questions, comments
• Using board
• Taking down homework

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Peripatetic Support Service for the Hearing
Impaired

• Children age 0 19, from diagnosis
• Pre-school support
• Teaching support
• Non-teaching support
• Advice to schools, parents
• Assessment of childrens hearing - referrals
• Training for schools, health personnel
• Hospital and Community Clinics
• ccea - exam modifications
• Multi-agency working

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Contact

• Peripatetic Support Service for the Hearing
  Impaired
• Fortwilliam Centre, Fortwilliam Park
• Joyce Smyth (Senior Teacher)
• Mary Gordon
• Jane Atkinson
• Kerry McAleer
• Anne Marie Kerrigan
• email joyce.smyth_at_belb.co.uk