This may be conductive hearing loss (a difficulty in the outer or middle ear, for example wax build-up, glue ear, infection, or damage to the eardrum), sensorineural hearing loss (damage to the cochlea’s hair cells or the hearing nerve, which can be present from birth, genetic conditions, caused by illness), or mixed hearing loss (a combination of both).
This information may be appropriate for primary and/or secondary pupils according to their age, stage and individual needs.
Websites
- Oxfordshire Deaf Children’s Society
- National Deaf Children’s Society
- Access Arrangements, Reasonable Adjustments and Special Consideration – Joint Council for Qualifications
- RNID - National hearing loss charity
- British Deaf Association
- Royal Association for Deaf People
- Action Deafness
- Free BSL Lessons for UK Primary Schools – The School of Signs
Self-help resources
- DHS glue ear advice to settings dhs_2025-09-01_glue_ear_advice_for_schools.docx
- DHS Oxfordshire first 100 signs with BSL alternatives bsl alternatives
- DHS Oxfordshire 100 signs BSL video Oxfordshire 100 signs
Training
- DHS glue ear training - contact your specialist advisory teacher to book training for your school staff senss@oxfordshire.gov.uk
- Whole School SEND training Unit 1: Creating an emotionally safe environment, Unit 13: Introduction to teaching learners with physical needs and Unit 3: Creating a physically safe environment Online CPD Units | Whole School SEND
Specialist support in school
The SENSS Deaf and Hearing Support (DHS)Team
A countywide Special Educational Needs (SEN) teaching and advisory support service.
Experienced mainstream teachers with a specialist qualification to work with babies, children and young people with hearing loss. We aim to enable children and young people with hearing loss to be effective learners and make exceptional progress.
When a baby or young child has a confirmed hearing loss, they can be referred by the audiology department. A team member contacts the family and setting and arranges a visit.