How you can help
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There are lots of ways you can try and support a child or young person with a hearing loss.
Strategies
Some of these strategies include:
- Make sure you have the child or young person’s attention before you start speaking
- Maintain eye contact
- Speak clearly, with normal speech rhythms - shouting distorts voice and lip patterns
- Support lip reading - ensure your face is well-lit and visible
- Avoid environments with excess noise and move away from any background noise
- Repeat, rephrase or explain what you are trying to say
- Use non-verbal strategies - facial expression, body language and gesture, visuals
- Encourage the use of hearing technology/equipment as appropriate
Further support
- National Deaf Children's Society provide information and support for deaf children, young people and their families, and professionals.
- Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID) provide support for people who are deaf, have hearing loss or have tinnitus.