Sensory and Physical – Hearing Impairment Universal

What will you see? (Barriers)	What can help? (Strategies and provision)
It is important to check whether a recent hearing assessment has taken place. The CYP may: (for younger children) Have immature grammar for example, “me want apple “ Have immature speech sounds for example, “ bish “ for fish, “gar” for car Make less than expected progress in phonics (For all CYP) Make less than expected progress in the curriculum Lose focus or are more often distracted in comparison to peers Vary in response to hearing their name for example, good if familiar voice, when close or can see you, in quiet Do not turn their head and smile, look up, and respond verbally to name Give answers or comments which are not relevant, and show have missed information Often asks for repetition of instructions Have difficulty in starting a task after instructions (e.g. looks at other CYP or asks for help) Use limited vocabulary, do not pick up new curriculum words or names readily Use non-specific language for example, “that one” “over there” “it’s big” Have difficulty expressing needs clearly or are difficult to understand if context is unknown Use gestures, show or point alongside speech to help them get message across Are very quiet in or withdraw from group social situations Have issues with friendship group and socialising with peers Have difficulty joining in playground games or age appropriate conversation	Improve the listening environment by: Reduce background noise Reduce reverberation (echo) by introducing soft furnishings, blinds, display boards Ensuring electrical, plumbing and heating sources are quiet Installing carpet, stoppers on chair and table legs, close doors between rooms. Consider the introduction of a Soundfield system allowing all CYP to hear well wherever they are in a class and whichever direction the teacher faces. Organise class routines and seating to optimize teacher’s voice and minimize other noise. Pupil sits close to teacher. The face of teacher well lit. All staff have ‘deaf awareness’ strategies, for example, repetition of contributions from others when required. Training and events can be provided by the Hearing Support Team. Visual cues alongside speech to give meaning. Access to quiet spaces to work and small group support Conduct a risk assessment: Be aware of possible impact of hearing difficulties for safety in other environments including: Explicit teaching of fire practice Allocate watchful adult /hand holding for Planning if fire alarms are not heard in all areas including toilet Make sure swimming and PE coach and supply staff are aware of hearing loss. Consider ways to include in sports at distance for example, instructions and demonstration before PE game, visual ‘flag’ to start races or alert CYP to stops and starts at distance. To support CYP with hearing-aids Top tips for caring for hearing aids at home (ndcs.org.uk)Consider specific strategies for CYP with different types of hearing loss: Strategies for supporting CYP with unilateral hearing loss Strategies for supporting CYP with conductive hearing loss Supporting CYP with Glue Ear

What will you see? (Barriers)

What can help? (Strategies and provision)

It is important to check whether a recent hearing assessment has taken place.

The CYP may: (for younger children)

Have immature grammar for example, “me want apple “
Have immature speech sounds for example, “ bish “ for fish, “gar” for car
Make less than expected progress in phonics (For all CYP)
Make less than expected progress in the curriculum
Lose focus or are more often distracted in comparison to peers
Vary in response to hearing their name for example, good if familiar voice, when close or can see you, in quiet
Do not turn their head and smile, look up, and respond verbally to name
Give answers or comments which are not relevant, and show have missed information
Often asks for repetition of instructions
Have difficulty in starting a task after instructions (e.g. looks at other CYP or asks for help)
Use limited vocabulary, do not pick up new curriculum words or names readily
Use non-specific language for example, “that one” “over there” “it’s big”
Have difficulty expressing needs clearly or are difficult to understand if context is unknown
Use gestures, show or point alongside speech to help them get message across
Are very quiet in or withdraw from group social situations
Have issues with friendship group and socialising with peers
Have difficulty joining in playground games or age appropriate conversation

Improve the listening environment by:

Reduce background noise
Reduce reverberation (echo) by introducing soft furnishings, blinds, display boards
Ensuring electrical, plumbing and heating sources are quiet
Installing carpet, stoppers on chair and table legs, close doors between rooms. Consider the introduction of a Soundfield system allowing all CYP to hear well wherever they are in a class and whichever direction the teacher faces. Organise class routines and seating to optimize teacher’s voice and minimize other noise. Pupil sits close to teacher. The face of teacher well lit. All staff have ‘deaf awareness’ strategies, for example, repetition of contributions from others when required. Training and events can be provided by the Hearing Support Team. Visual cues alongside speech to give meaning. Access to quiet spaces to work and small group support Conduct a risk assessment: Be aware of possible impact of hearing difficulties for safety in other environments including:
Explicit teaching of fire practice
Allocate watchful adult /hand holding for
Planning if fire alarms are not heard in all areas including toilet
Make sure swimming and PE coach and supply staff are aware of hearing loss. Consider ways to include in sports at distance for example, instructions and demonstration before PE game, visual ‘flag’ to start races or alert CYP to stops and starts at distance. To support CYP with hearing-aids Top tips for caring for hearing aids at home (ndcs.org.uk)Consider specific strategies for CYP with different types of hearing loss:
Strategies for supporting CYP with unilateral hearing loss
Strategies for supporting CYP with conductive hearing loss
Supporting CYP with Glue Ear