{"id":34815,"date":"2025-12-12T13:47:45","date_gmt":"2025-12-12T13:47:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/?page_id=34815"},"modified":"2025-12-12T13:47:50","modified_gmt":"2025-12-12T13:47:50","slug":"deaf-and-or-hard-of-hearing","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/ordinarily-available-inclusive-provision\/targeted-support-framework-eyfs\/sensory-and-physical-needs-ey\/deaf-and-or-hard-of-hearing\/","title":{"rendered":"Deaf and\/or hard of hearing in the early years"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"content-heading-quote clearfix \" id=\"block_acf-block-693c1d01bbded\"><div class=\"hq-outer\"><h2><span class=\"hq-heading\">What is deafness? <\/span><span class=\"hq-icon\"><?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"UTF-8\"?> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" id=\"a\" viewBox=\"0 0 100 100\"><defs><style>.b{fill:none;stroke:#242a5f;stroke-linecap:round;stroke-miterlimit:10;stroke-width:4px;}.c{fill:#242a5f;}<\/style><\/defs><path class=\"b\" d=\"M74.43,1.95s2.1,26.63-23.86,43.38c-27.08,17.47-22.16,52.75-22.16,52.75\"><\/path><path class=\"b\" d=\"M54.65,83.31s16.82-24.99,37.97,0c0,0-18.26,24.27-37.97,0Z\"><\/path><line class=\"b\" x1=\"51.41\" y1=\"65.29\" x2=\"57.51\" y2=\"71.38\"><\/line><line class=\"b\" x1=\"95.45\" y1=\"65.29\" x2=\"89.35\" y2=\"71.38\"><\/line><line class=\"b\" x1=\"73.77\" y1=\"56.66\" x2=\"73.51\" y2=\"65.29\"><\/line><circle class=\"c\" cx=\"73.64\" cy=\"79.05\" r=\"6.85\"><\/circle><path class=\"b\" d=\"M7.33,19.16s24.51-7.11,19.46,15.53c0,0-1.98,7.04-6.73,8.97-3.64,1.48-1.29,7.84-1.29,7.84,0,0,1.44,6.42-3.33,7.7s-8.29-1.97-7.75-6.71\"><\/path><path class=\"b\" d=\"M30.15,13.75s9.89,1.2,6.52,13.22\"><\/path><path class=\"b\" d=\"M36.19,7.5s15.09,4.75,7.25,23.18\"><\/path><path class=\"b\" d=\"M7.18,33.81s3.78-.44,4.28,2.52c.61,3.61-.31,4.44-3.69,5.46\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/span><\/h2><div class=\"hq-intro\"><p>Hearing loss and deafness happens when sound signals don\u2019t reach the brain. There are two main types: Sensorineural and Conductive hearing loss, and it is possible to have both, which is known as mixed hearing loss.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"content-boxes clearfix\" id=\"block_acf-block-693c1d01bc412\"><ul class=\"grid-x grid-margin-x small-up-1 medium-up-1 large-up-1\"><li class=\"cell box-contents\"><div class=\"box-contents-inner has-svg\"><div class=\"box-icon\"><?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"UTF-8\"?> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" id=\"Layer_1\" viewBox=\"0 0 60 60\"><defs><style>.cls-1{fill:#f3f1f6;}.cls-2{fill:#5d4c77;}<\/style><\/defs><g id=\"Group_7793\"><path id=\"Path_2\" class=\"cls-1\" d=\"M17.57,2.73h24.27l16.17,16.5v23.01l-16.17,17.76h-23.43L1.48,42.24v-23.01S17.57,2.73,17.57,2.73Z\"><\/path><g id=\"question-octagon\"><g id=\"Group_7792\"><path id=\"Path_6596\" class=\"cls-2\" d=\"M17.02.55C17.37.2,17.85,0,18.34,0h23.3C42.14,0,42.61.2,42.96.55l16.48,16.48c.35.35.55.83.55,1.32v23.3c0,.5-.2.97-.55,1.32l-16.48,16.48c-.35.35-.83.55-1.32.55h-23.3c-.5,0-.97-.2-1.32-.55L.55,42.97c-.35-.35-.55-.82-.55-1.32v-23.3c0-.5.2-.97.55-1.32L17.02.55ZM19.12,3.75L3.75,19.12v21.75l15.38,15.38h21.75l15.38-15.38v-21.75l-15.38-15.38h-21.76Z\"><\/path><path id=\"Path_6597\" class=\"cls-2\" d=\"M19.57,21.78c-.01.24.08.48.26.65s.41.27.66.26h3.14c.52-.01.95-.41,1.01-.93.34-2.43,2.05-4.21,5.1-4.21,2.61,0,5,1.27,5,4.33,0,2.36-1.42,3.44-3.67,5.09-2.56,1.81-4.58,3.93-4.44,7.37v.8c.03.51.45.92.96.91h3.08c.52,0,.94-.41.95-.93v-.39c0-2.66,1.04-3.44,3.84-5.51,2.32-1.72,4.73-3.62,4.73-7.63,0-5.6-4.85-8.31-10.16-8.31-4.82,0-10.09,2.19-10.45,8.48v.02ZM25.49,43.16c.05,1.96,1.68,3.5,3.64,3.45.07,0,.14,0,.2,0,2.32,0,3.91-1.46,3.91-3.44s-1.6-3.49-3.91-3.49c-1.94-.16-3.65,1.28-3.82,3.22,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,.09-.01.17-.01.26h-.01Z\"><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/svg> <\/div><h3><strong>Identification<\/strong> &#8211; what you may see in the child<\/h3><div class=\"box-content list-col-1\"><ul>\n<li>Not responding to name or basic instruction.<\/li>\n<li>Speech and language development are significantly delayed.<\/li>\n<li>Difficulty interacting with peers.<\/li>\n<li>Difficulty making relationships with peers.<\/li>\n<li>Appears distracted, poor concentration skills<\/li>\n<li>Tends to copy others when instructions are given to the group.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"content-boxes clearfix\" id=\"block_acf-block-693c1d01bc5ca\"><ul class=\"grid-x grid-margin-x small-up-1 medium-up-1 large-up-1\"><li class=\"cell box-contents\"><div class=\"box-contents-inner has-svg\"><div class=\"box-icon\"><?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"UTF-8\"?> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" id=\"Layer_1\" viewBox=\"0 0 60.07 60\"><defs><style>.cls-1{fill:#f3f1f6;}.cls-2{fill:#5d4c77;}<\/style><\/defs><polygon class=\"cls-1\" points=\"43.44 27.53 31.1 31.33 31.1 12.17 43.44 8.78 43.44 27.53\"><\/polygon><polygon class=\"cls-1\" points=\"41.76 6.92 30.45 10.08 17.08 6.58 30.36 3.46 41.76 6.92\"><\/polygon><polygon class=\"cls-1\" points=\"28.93 52.72 16.58 56.52 16.58 37.36 28.93 33.97 28.93 52.72\"><\/polygon><polygon class=\"cls-1\" points=\"57.97 52.73 45.62 56.53 45.62 37.37 57.97 33.97 57.97 52.73\"><\/polygon><polygon class=\"cls-1\" points=\"28 32.55 16.69 35.72 3.33 32.21 16.6 29.09 28 32.55\"><\/polygon><polygon class=\"cls-1\" points=\"55.99 32.46 44.67 35.71 31.39 32.45 44.67 29.22 55.99 32.46\"><\/polygon><polygon class=\"cls-1\" points=\"44.38 56.8 31.1 52.76 31.1 33.7 43.87 37.1 44.38 56.8\"><\/polygon><polygon class=\"cls-1\" points=\"15.09 56.8 1.81 52.76 1.81 33.7 14.58 37.1 15.09 56.8\"><\/polygon><polygon class=\"cls-1\" points=\"29.42 31.61 16.59 27.57 16.59 8.51 28.93 11.91 29.42 31.61\"><\/polygon><path class=\"cls-2\" d=\"M60.14,32.49c0-.06,0-.1-.02-.16,0-.02,0-.06-.02-.08-.02-.05-.03-.1-.06-.15,0-.02-.02-.05-.03-.07-.03-.06-.07-.12-.11-.17,0,0,0-.02-.02-.02-.05-.06-.11-.12-.17-.17-.02,0-.03-.02-.04-.02-.05-.03-.09-.06-.15-.09-.03-.01-.06-.02-.09-.03-.03,0-.06-.02-.09-.03l-13.74-3.93V7.04c0-.06,0-.1-.02-.16,0-.02,0-.06-.02-.08-.02-.05-.03-.1-.06-.15,0-.02-.02-.05-.03-.07-.03-.06-.07-.12-.11-.17,0,0,0-.02-.02-.02-.05-.06-.11-.12-.17-.17-.02,0-.02-.02-.04-.02-.05-.03-.09-.06-.15-.09-.03-.01-.06-.02-.09-.03-.03,0-.06-.02-.09-.03L30.31,1.89c-.2-.06-.4-.06-.6,0l-14.53,4.15-.1.04s-.04.02-.06.02c-.42.19-.67.63-.63,1.09v20.38L.66,31.49s-.06.02-.09.03c-.02,0-.06.02-.08.03-.05.02-.1.06-.15.09-.02,0-.02.02-.04.02-.06.05-.12.1-.17.17,0,0,0,.02-.02.02-.04.06-.08.11-.11.17,0,.02-.02.05-.03.07-.02.05-.04.09-.06.15,0,.02-.02.06-.02.08,0,.05-.02.1-.02.16v21.03c0,.48.31.9.77,1.04l14.53,4.47c.21.06.43.06.65,0l14.2-4.37,14.2,4.37c.21.06.43.06.65,0l14.53-4.47c.46-.14.77-.57.77-1.04v-21.03h-.04ZM14.4,56.52l-12.35-3.8v-18.75l12.35,3.39v19.16ZM15.49,35.4l-10.49-2.88,10.49-3,10.49,3s-10.49,2.88-10.49,2.88ZM28.93,52.73l-12.35,3.8v-19.16l12.35-3.39v18.75ZM28.93,31.09l-12.34-3.53V8.51l12.34,3.4v19.18ZM19.53,7.06l10.49-3,10.49,3-10.49,2.89s-10.49-2.89-10.49-2.89ZM43.44,8.51v19.05l-12.35,3.53V11.91l12.35-3.39h0ZM43.44,56.52l-12.35-3.8v-18.75l12.35,3.39s0,19.16,0,19.16ZM44.54,35.4l-10.49-2.88,10.49-3,10.49,3s-10.49,2.88-10.49,2.88ZM57.97,52.73l-12.35,3.8v-19.16l12.35-3.39v18.75Z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/div><h3><strong>Planned<\/strong> provision in the setting<\/h3><div class=\"box-content list-col-1\"><ul>\n<li><strong>Share stories<\/strong> that include <strong>characters who are deaf<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Gain child\u2019s attention by touch<\/strong> and getting down to their level.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Provide lots of exposure to language<\/strong>, through nursery rhymes, stories and songs.<\/li>\n<li>Ensure child is <strong>wearing hearing aids<\/strong> if fitted and that batteries are working.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Reduce background noise<\/strong> as much as possible.<\/li>\n<li>Ensure all practitioners <strong>use consistent communication methods<\/strong>, for example BSL, gestures, body language.<\/li>\n<li>Ensure all practitioners <strong>know how to use specialist equipment<\/strong> if provided.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Speak clearly at an appropriate volume<\/strong>. Don&#8217;t shout &#8211; use normal pace and pitch. Speak at the child\u2019s level so that they can see your face. Don&#8217;t speak to the child with your back turned or when walking around.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Use deaf friendly resources<\/strong> such as storybooks and toys.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Use signed stories and songs<\/strong> for all children to learn.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Employ and train staff with appropriate BSL skills<\/strong> when required.<\/li>\n<li>In small group situations <strong>position the child at the front or close to the practitioner<\/strong> leading the session.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Position the child away from internal and external noise sources<\/strong>,\u00a0 for example, projectors, fans, lights etc. Ensure the area is well-lit.\u00a0Provide quiet places for language and listening activities.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Use carpets and curtains and soft furnishings where possible to limit echoes<\/strong>. Line construction trays or boxes with carpet tiles or felt to reduce noise level. (Children who wear hearing aids or have cochlear implants suffer in noisy, echoing spaces).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"content-boxes clearfix\" id=\"block_acf-block-693c1d01bc74a\"><ul class=\"grid-x grid-margin-x small-up-1 medium-up-1 large-up-1\"><li class=\"cell box-contents\"><div class=\"box-contents-inner has-svg\"><div class=\"box-icon\"><?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"UTF-8\"?> <svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" id=\"Layer_1\" viewBox=\"0 0 76.62 60\"><defs><style>.cls-1{fill:#f3f1f6;}.cls-2{fill:#5d4c77;}<\/style><\/defs><path class=\"cls-1\" d=\"M1.37,3h73v52H1.37V3Z\"><\/path><path class=\"cls-2\" d=\"M46.52,13.63h19.15v5.47h-19.15v-5.47Z\"><\/path><path class=\"cls-2\" d=\"M46.52,27.26h19.15v5.47h-19.15v-5.47Z\"><\/path><path class=\"cls-2\" d=\"M46.52,40.9h19.15v5.47h-19.15v-5.47Z\"><\/path><path class=\"cls-2\" d=\"M10.94,13.63h19.15v5.47H10.94v-5.47Z\"><\/path><path class=\"cls-2\" d=\"M10.94,27.26h19.15v5.47H10.94v-5.47Z\"><\/path><path class=\"cls-2\" d=\"M10.94,40.9h19.15v5.47H10.94v-5.47Z\"><\/path><path class=\"cls-2\" d=\"M71.14,0H5.47C2.46,0,0,2.44,0,5.45v49.09c0,3.02,2.46,5.46,5.47,5.46h65.67c3.02,0,5.47-2.44,5.47-5.46V5.45C76.61,2.44,74.16,0,71.14,0ZM5.47,5.45h30.1v49.09H5.47V5.45ZM41.04,54.54V5.45h30.1v49.09h-30.1Z\"><\/path><\/svg> <\/div><h3><strong>Resources<\/strong> for settings<\/h3><div class=\"box-content list-col-1\"><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Support services<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/send\/request-for-access-to-send-support-guidance\/\">Request support from Devon&#8217;s Sensory or Physical Needs Team<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\">If you have concerns about a child\u2019s hearing advise parent carers to book a GP appointment.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><!-- \/wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} --><\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong>Further reading and information<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Resources and Information from Devon&#8217;s Sensory and Physical Needs Team (deaf and\/or hard of hearing)<\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/send\/areas-of-need\/sensory-and-or-physical\/deaf-or-hard-of-hearing\/types-of-deafness\/\">Types of deafness<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/send\/areas-of-need\/sensory-and-or-physical\/deaf-or-hard-of-hearing\/types-of-deafness\/conductive-hearing-loss\/\">Conductive hearing loss<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/send\/areas-of-need\/sensory-and-or-physical\/deaf-or-hard-of-hearing\/deaf-friendly-classroom\/\">Deaf friendly classroom<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/send\/areas-of-need\/sensory-and-or-physical\/deaf-or-hard-of-hearing\/using-your-devices-video-guides\/\">Using your devices &#8211; video guides<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/send\/areas-of-need\/sensory-and-or-physical\/deaf-or-hard-of-hearing\/top-tips\/\">Top tips for Deaf and\/or hard-of-hearing inclusion<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/send\/areas-of-need\/sensory-and-or-physical\/deaf-or-hard-of-hearing\/specialist-curriculum\/audiology-and-deafness-curriculum\/awareness-of-self\/\">Awareness of self<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/send\/areas-of-need\/sensory-and-or-physical\/deaf-or-hard-of-hearing\/deaf-identity\/\">Deaf identity<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ndcs.org.uk\/documents-and-resources\/teaching-phonics-to-deaf-children-guidance-for-teachers\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Teaching phonics to deaf children: Guidance for teachers<\/a> | National Deaf Children&#8217;s Society<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ndcs.org.uk\/documents-and-resources\/deaf-friendly-teaching-for-primary-school-staff\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Deaf-friendly teaching: For primary school staff<\/a>\u00a0 | National Deaf Children&#8217;s Society<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Resources to share with parents<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ndcs.org.uk\/information-and-support\/parenting-and-family-life\/parenting\/parenting-tips\/build-deaf-identity\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Build your child&#8217;s deaf identity<\/a> &#8211; Parenting and family life | National Deaf Children&#8217;s Society<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.batod.org.uk\/resource\/books-with-deaf-characters\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Books with deaf characters &#8211; BATOD<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ndcs.org.uk\/information-and-support\/parenting-and-family-life\/families-magazine\/reviews\/books\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Books with deaf characters &#8211; Reviews<\/a> | National Deaf Children&#8217;s Society<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/royaldeaf.org.uk\/about-rad\/\" rel=\"noopener\">About RAD<\/a> | Royal Association for Deaf People (RAD)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/royaldeaf.org.uk\/courses\/ndcs-partnership-accredited-bsl-courses\/\" rel=\"noopener\">NDSC Partnership &#8211; free accredited BSL courses<\/a> | RAD<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/ndcs-bookshop.myshopify.com\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Books and resources from the National Deaf Children&#8217;s Society<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/li><\/ul><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":981,"featured_media":0,"parent":34763,"menu_order":2,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-34815","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-04-28 22:05:04","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/34815","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/981"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=34815"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/34815\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":34895,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/34815\/revisions\/34895"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/34763"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/support-schools-settings\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=34815"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}