Hull mum says eight-year-old daughter's hearing loss was missed as deafness campaign launched
Almost three quarters of people find it hard to spot mild deafness in children, research finds
A mum from Hull says her eight-year-old daughter's permanent hearing loss in one ear was initially missed, as a new campaign highlights the hidden challenges of mild deafness in children.
The campaign has been launched by the charity NDCS.
It focuses on children with mild deafness or hearing loss in one ear.
The charity says everyday situations, from noisy classrooms to conversations with friends, can mean working much harder to hear and understand, even when a child seems to be managing well.
New research from the charity found almost three quarters (72%) of people say it can be difficult to tell when a child has mild deafness or hearing loss in one ear.
Only 31% know the signs to look out for.
Arlo's story
Arlo, from Hull, has permanent hearing loss in one ear.
She received a hearing aid aged four, after her mum Ali repeatedly raised concerns about her hearing.
According to the charity, Ali can explain how these challenges were initially missed.
She can also explain why simple changes make a difference, such as making sure Arlo can see her teacher and speaking directly to her.
What parents and teachers can look out for
Emma Motherwell, the charity's Community Activism Lead, is available to discuss why these challenges can go unnoticed.
She can also talk about what parents and teachers can look out for, and how to help children feel included at school and beyond.