Deafness
Deafness is the inability of an individual to hear sounds adequately.
This may be due to improper development, damage or disease to any part of the hearing mechanism. There are two main types of deafness: sensorineural deafness is caused by a problem in the inner ear (usually the cochlea) and is permanent, while conductive deafness is caused by a problem in the outer or middle ear (often wax or fluid, such as glue ear), and is usually temporary but can be permanent.
Many Deaf people do not consider themselves to be disabled, but rather see themselves as part of the Deaf Community with their own language, culture and history. British Sign Language (BSL) is a recognised minority language and is the first language of many Deaf people in the UK. It is a visual language with its own grammar and lexicon, and is included in the Curriculum for Wales.
General signs
- Muffling of speech and other sounds
- Difficulty understanding words, especially against background noise or in a crowd
- Trouble hearing consonants
- Missing out some sounds when speaking (for example, dropping or substituting consonants)
- Frequently asking others to speak more slowly, clearly and loudly
- Needing to turn up the volume of the television or radio
- Withdrawal from conversations
- Avoidance of some social settings.
Next steps
If you are concerned that your child / young person may have hearing difficulties which is impacting their learning, contact your GP and talk to your child / young person's school / college. Speak to the class teacher or Additional Learning Needs Coordinator (ALNCo) and they will be able to work with you and work out what happens next. If your child is under 5 years old, you need to speak to your Health Visitor.
If your child is not yet in school and you have concerns about their hearing, contact your GP to ask about a hearing test. The Deaf Education Team is also available for pre-school advice you can email them at ALNIT@swansea.gov.uk
British Sign Language in Swansea
British Sign Language (BSL) is a visual language with its own grammar, lexicon and linguistic structure.