1.3 Deafness at school

Figure 2 deaf children often struggle in the classroom

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A photo of a child who looks to be in his early teens. The child is facing away from the camera and is sitting at a desk at the back of a classroom. Other students are around him. All the students are looking at a teacher standing at the front of the class.

Figure 2 deaf children often struggle in the classroom

The UK government recently released a report analysing deaf children’s progress within the education system, particularly focusing on schools. It was reported that deaf children’s GCSEs were ‘particularly concerning’. There was also a 2% decrease in the number of Teachers of the Deaf (ToDs), which has undoubtedly had a great impact on the education of deaf children. These figures are the consequences of funding cuts.

ToD are particular important as they aid in a deaf child’s learning development from a young age – helping them to acquire English as a second language and providing them a bridge between languages.

The report also concluded that 61% of deaf children are leaving primary school having failed to achieve the expected standard at reading, writing and mathematics compared to 3% of children with no identified special education need.

We can all read the reports on how deaf students are underachieving in comparison with their hearing peers. However, what is important is that we, as professionals, parents, and community members work together to support those with a hearing loss within the education sector, ideally starting before primary school age.

With regards to the report, there are many reasons for the figures given. In my experience, having worked in the education sector, I believe it is down to a lack of resources: a lack of ToDs, speech and language therapists, communication support workers, British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters and other crucial resources.

I might add also that, although tinnitus isn’t always regarded as a hearing loss, the same strategies could be applied. Those with tinnitus tend to have it at different levels severity: for example, some may notice it when trying to go to sleep, while others may hear it all the time. Whatever the severity, we must also ensure that we support people with tinnitus too.