Scribd Logo
Upload

Welcome to Scribd!

  • 1 views

    PP 12 Mild Hearing Loss - Mar2

    Uploaded by

    esamaboelmaged0
    Interview

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    PP 12 Mild Hearing Loss - Mar2

    Uploaded by

    esamaboelmaged0
    1 views4 pages
    Interview

    Original Title

    pp-12-mild-hearing-loss_mar2

    Copyright

    © © All Rights Reserved

    Available Formats

    PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Did you find this document useful?

    Is this content inappropriate?

    Interview

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    1 views4 pages

    PP 12 Mild Hearing Loss - Mar2

    Uploaded by

    esamaboelmaged0
    Interview

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    You are on page 1of 4

    Mild hearing loss – information pack

    You have been given this leaflet because a hearing test has shown that your
    child has a mild hearing loss. This leaflet will tell you about what mild
    hearing loss means and what help is available.

    What is mild hearing loss?


    Children with a mild hearing loss have hearing that is slightly below the level that is considered
    normal. They may have difficulty hearing quieter sounds.
    Around 0.4 per 1000 children are born with a permanent mild hearing loss in both ears. Mild
    hearing loss can be present from birth. It may have been inherited or may be caused by problems
    during the pregnancy or birth. A mild hearing loss may also occur later in childhood as a result of
    an infection, for example, mumps or meningitis, or because of a head injury. In many cases, the
    actual cause of the mild hearing loss may not be identified. It is important to monitor hearing levels
    in children with mild hearing loss over time, as although uncommon, there are occasions when a
    more significant hearing loss can develop.

    Facts about mild hearing loss


    • A mild hearing loss can affect speech and language development, educational attainment and
    social interaction. Although children with a mild hearing loss may appear to respond appropriately
    to sounds, their listening experience on which learning is based will not be complete.
    • With a mild hearing loss, a child may experience difficulties with:
    o Hearing quiet sounds and subtle speech differences
    o Following fast-paced discussions
    o Hearing words clearly out of context
    o Speech and language difficulties
    o Difficulties at school including slower progress and behavioural problems
    o Hearing speech when there is background noise
    o More difficulty interacting with others
    o Road safety
    • In situations where there is background noise, for example at school, a child with mild
    hearing loss may be more easily distracted. In order to participate fully in the tasks, he/she
    will have to maintain good levels of concentration that may increase their tiredness.
    • When speech is not heard clearly this can affect a child’s own speech production causing a
    reduction in speech intelligibility. Language development may also be delayed.
    • A child with a hearing loss relies more on visual information than a child with normal hearing.
    It is important that your child’s eyesight is checked regularly.

    Mild hearing loss – information pack, March 2024 1


    Audiology / Mild hearing loss – information pack

    What help is available?


    • Fitting a hearing aid: The introduction of hearing aids helps to stimulate the hearing
    pathway so that it can be used to its maximum potential as soon as possible.
    A hearing aid is a special type of small amplifier. Its job is to make the sounds we hear
    louder. The signal will not be perfect as the hearing aid does not make the hearing become
    normal, but amplifies sounds so that your child can hear them.
    Using a hearing aid can give the wearer a lot of useful information about speech and
    environmental sound.
    • Types of hearing aid: There are many different models of hearing aid available in various
    shapes, sizes, colours and ways in which they process the sound. Your audiology team will
    discuss with you the most appropriate options to suit individual needs and preferences.
    Most hearing aids fit behind the ear. All behind the ear hearing aids basically consist of a
    microphone and an amplifier and are powered by a small battery. Special earmoulds are
    manufactured to carry the sound into the ear canal.
    • Radio aid systems: Children with mild hearing loss may also benefit from a radio aid system
    attached to their hearing aids. The speaker wears a transmitter, and the radio signal is
    received in the child’s hearing aids. This can give a better quality sound in situations where
    there is background noise, for example, when a hearing aid alone does not maximise a
    child’s access to the most important speech sounds for example in the classroom, in
    restaurants, on car journeys and on bike rides as well as at after school clubs.
    • Earmoulds: Earmoulds are made from an impression of the ear taken by your audiologist.
    To do this they will usually place a small sponge in the ear and then insert a specially mixed
    plasticine-type material to fill the ear completely. Once this has hardened after 1-2 minutes, it
    can gently be removed.
    • Soundfield systems: Using a soundfield system may be an alternative solution to fitting a
    hearing aid depending on your child’s hearing difficulty. This is generally used to help
    listening in the classroom situation as it ensures the child can hear the teacher’s voice at a
    constant volume wherever he/she is sat and in whichever direction he/she is facing.
    The system comprises of a microphone and speaker. The microphone is worn by the teacher
    and the sound is transmitted to a loud-speaker. This is most commonly a portable speaker
    that sits on the child’s desk but may also be speakers that are fitted around the classroom.
    Since the microphone is close to the teacher’s mouth the speech sounds it detects and
    transmits to the child’s speaker are clear and have less background noise interference.
    Soundfield systems are not provided by NHS or Education services but can be
    purchased. They only provide help with listening in the classroom.

    Mild hearing loss – information pack, March 2024 2


    Audiology / Mild hearing loss – information pack

    Hints to help with a mild hearing loss


    Communication
    • Keep background noise to a minimum as much as possible.
    • Get your child’s attention before speaking to them.
    • In background noise, speak to your child at close range.
    • Re-phrase sentences rather than repeating them if they have not been understood.

    At school
    • Make the teacher aware that your child has a hearing loss.
    • Ask for your child to be seated as near to the teacher as possible.

    Road and personal safety


    • Teach your child to look around them to be sure of where a sound is coming from.
    • Before crossing the road it is particularly important that your child looks around to visually
    check for traffic.
    • You may wish to install rear-view mirrors to your child’s bicycle so that they can visually
    locate where traffic is behind them.

    Protecting your child’s hearing


    • Your child should avoid listening to loud sounds for long periods of time, for example
    headphones, music concerts, and when older if out in pubs, bars or night-clubs. It is
    important that your child wears ear-protection when necessary.
    • See your GP as soon as possible if your child has an ear-infection as this may cause his/her
    hearing to temporarily deteriorate. Furthermore if the infection is severe and left untreated it
    may permanently reduce the hearing levels.

    Our commitment to you


    • To provide you with an excellent service to meet your individual needs and those of your child.
    • To give you and your child individual attention.
    • To be available to you should you or your child need advice or reassurance.
    • To provide support when you are coming to terms with a hearing loss.
    • To offer help if a hearing loss causes problems when yours or your child’s lifestyle changes.
    • To ensure you and your child feel confident and happy using a hearing aid.
    • To make every effort to offer you a suitable date and time for appointments.
    • To make every effort to see you for an appointment on time.

    Mild hearing loss – information pack, March 2024 3


    Audiology / Mild hearing loss – information pack

    Your commitment to us
    • To make every effort to attend and be punctual at the appointments made for you.
    • To inform us as soon as you know that you will be unable to attend an appointment.
    • To help staff assigned to you or your child’s care to help you by cooperating with them.
    • To respect and care for any devices loaned to your child as best you can, as they remain the
    property of the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust.

    If you have any further questions, please contact:


    The Audiology Department on tel: 0118 322 7238
    Email: audiology.royalberkshire@nhs.net
    Website: www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/featured-services/children-young-people/children-s-
    hearing-services/

    To find out more about our Trust visit www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk

    If you would like this leaflet in other languages or formats (e.g. large print,
    Braille or audio), please contact the Audiology Department.

    Reviewed: RBFT Audiology, March 2024.


    Next review due: March 2026

    Mild hearing loss – information pack, March 2024 4

    You might also like