Taflenni - Mae colled ar glyw eich babi
This leaflet is for parents and families of a baby who has been found to have a hearing loss. The leaflet answers some common questions. It tells you what support is available for you and your baby, and where you can go for more information.
What is a hearing loss?
There are different types of hearing loss. The type of hearing loss your baby has depends on where the problem is in the ear.
Diagram of the ear
Sensorineural hearing loss (sometimes called nerve deafness) is a permanent hearing loss. This usually means that there is a problem in the part of the inner ear called the cochlea.
Conductive hearing loss means that sound cannot pass through the outer and middle ear to the inner ear. Conductive hearing loss is usually temporary, but in a very small number of babies the hearing loss may be permanent.
Children with sensorineural hearing loss can also have a temporary conductive hearing loss.
There are different levels of hearing loss. These can be described as mild, moderate, severe and profound. Your audiologist will be able to explain which sounds your baby can hear and which sounds they have difficulty hearing. It is very unlikely that your baby will not be able to hear any sounds at all.
Causes of hearing loss
Most babies with a sensorineural hearing loss are born into families where no-one else is deaf, although in some families the hearing loss may be inherited. Sensorineural hearing loss may also be caused by infections during pregnancy, premature birth and complications at birth. It may be part of another condition or linked to other difficulties. Hearing loss can also develop through childhood illnesses, such as mumps, measles or meningitis.
Conductive hearing loss is commonly caused by fluid in the middle ear (known as glue ear). Less commonly, it may be caused by problems with the development of the outer and middle ear.
You can discuss how to find the cause of your baby’s hearing loss with the specialist doctor who works with your audiologist. For some babies and children, it may not be possible to find the cause of their hearing loss.
Support for you and your baby
All parents react differently when they are told that their baby has a hearing loss. Whatever your feelings, there is plenty of support available to you. Your Early Years Support Team will be able to help you, your baby and your family. This team includes your audiologist, a specialist teacher and a specialist doctor. A speech and language therapist and social worker may also be part of the team. The team will meet with you regularly, and work with you to offer support in a number of ways.
Hearing aids
Your audiologist may tell you that wearing hearing aids will help your baby to hear better. If you choose to have hearing aids for your baby, a special mould of your baby’s ear will be made. Your audiologist will give you advice about the best way to use your baby’s hearing aids. They will not be painful or uncomfortable for your baby to wear. The Audiology Department will offer you regular checks of your baby’s hearing and hearing aids.
Communication
Children with a hearing loss and their families communicate in a number of ways. Some children will learn to use speech, some will learn to use sign language and some will use a mixture of both. The specialist teacher and other members of the Early Years Support Team will help you choose the best way for you and your baby to communicate. When you have decided this, it is very important to communicate with your baby as much as possible.
Education
Most children with a hearing loss go to local mainstream schools where some may need specialist support. Some will go to special schools for deaf children. The specialist teacher will help you choose the school which meets your child’s needs.
Financial support
State benefits may be available to help you care for your baby. The social worker on your Early Years Support Team, the National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS), the Benefits Agency or Citizens’ Advice Bureau will be able to give you more information.
Other support
The National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS) can give you support and information, and it has a helpline for parents whose children have a hearing loss. Their experienced advisors can help answer any questions you may have.
You can contact the NDCS in the following ways:
Phone: 029 2038 4277 (v/t)
Phone/fax: 029 2037 3474 (v)
E-mail: ndcswales@ndcs.org.uk
Freephone helpline: 0808 800 8880 (v/t)
Website: www.ndcs.org.uk
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