Hearing Loss Team
The aim of the Hearing Loss Team is to provide support and advice to parents, children and educational settings in order for children with a hearing loss to have access to the optimum listening and learning environment in order for them to access all areas of the curriculum.
The team provide advice and support for families, children and students with hearing loss who live or go to school in the Southend-on-Sea local authority. Support and advisory teaching services are given to children from birth. This support is provided in a variety of settings and is based on individual need.
The team provides:
- support to pre-school children and their families in the home, from diagnosis. Development is monitored/assessed using Success From the Start
- signing tuition from our Family Support Worker for pre-school children and their parents within the home where required
- a fortnightly play and stay HICcuPS pre-school support group for children with a hearing loss
- visits to mainstream and special schools to ensure children with a hearing loss have the best access to the listening and learning environment.
- frequency of visits required is assessed on an individual basis
- provision of appropriate additional audiological equipment, provided by Southend City Council.
- training for staff to ensure confidence to handle hearing aids and other audiological equipment such as FM radio aids
- deaf awareness training for schools.
- liaison with other agencies
How children and young people can access the Hearing Loss Team
Referrals are made by audiologists and paediatricians, directly to the Specialist Teacher of the Deaf. Following the referral the Teacher of the Deaf will contact the parents and pre-school/ school to establish contact and set up subsequent visits.
If a parent is concerned about their child's hearing they are advised to book an appointment with their GP who can then refer them on to audiology.
Contact the Hearing Loss Team
Civic Centre, Victoria Avenue, Southend-on-Sea, SS2 6ER.
Paula Holmes - Specialist Teacher for Multisensory Impairment (MSI) and Specialist Teacher of the Deaf. Email: PaulaHolmes@southend.gov.uk or vias@southend.gov.uk
Kerry Lewis - Specialist Teacher of the Deaf. Email: KerryLewis@southend.gov.uk
Susan Payne - Pre-School Family Support Worker / Signing Instructor. Email: susanpayne@southend.gov.uk
Links to information about hearing loss
The Hearing Loss team have produced a range of information to support families and professionals:
Types and levels of hearing loss
Will a child with a hearing loss need an EHCP?
Technology to support hearing loss
Useful organisations, websites and British Sign Language courses
Guidance for schools on supporting pupils with a hearing loss