Children with partial or mild hearing loss can encounter challenges in everyday environments that go unnoticed, according to a recent survey by the National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS).
Arlo’s Daily Classroom Struggles With Unilateral Hearing Loss
Eight-year-old Arlo, from Cottingham, has single-sided deafness that healthcare professionals did not diagnose until she was two years old, the BBC reported. While she wears a hearing aid, bustling school environments make it difficult for her to concentrate or pinpoint individual speakers. Her mother, Ali, noted that school days take a heavy toll on the eight-year-old, leaving her exhausted with aching ears by the end of the day.
People often wrongly assume that children with partial or profound hearing loss can simply carry on as normal, Ali explained to the BBC. In loud settings such as music concerts, Arlo sometimes turns off her hearing aid entirely, which further complicates communication. When background noise rises and speakers cover their mouths, she relies on watching visual cues rather than traditional lip-reading to understand conversations.
Gaps in Public Understanding Highlighted by NDCS Data
More than 53,000 deaf children and young people live in the UK, according to figures from the NDCS. Out of that total population, 48% experience mild or unilateral hearing loss. Despite affecting nearly half of these children, the charity’s recent survey reveals persistent gaps in public understanding regarding how severely this specific type of hearing loss impacts daily life.
Only 36% of survey respondents agreed that mild or single-sided deafness significantly affects a child’s everyday routine. Meanwhile, one in five respondents believed this level of hearing impairment has little or no impact at all. These figures underscore the need for greater awareness in schools and public spaces to support children whose hearing challenges are frequently invisible to others.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mild and Single-Sided Hearing Loss
At what age was Arlo’s hearing loss diagnosed?
Healthcare professionals did not identify Arlo’s unilateral hearing loss until she reached two years of age, according to the BBC report.
How many deaf children and young people live in the UK?
The National Deaf Children’s Society reports that there are more than 53,000 deaf children and young people across the UK.
What percentage of deaf children experience mild or unilateral hearing loss?
Data from the National Deaf Children’s Society shows that 48% of deaf children and young people in the UK have mild or single-sided hearing loss.
What proportion of survey respondents recognised the impact of partial hearing loss?
Only 36% of respondents in the NDCS survey agreed that mild or single-sided deafness can have a great impact on a child’s daily life.
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