School

Issues that are related to hearing loss are often perceived to be cultural differences.

It is often thought that:

the person is lazy and doesn't want to work
they are stupid and haven't got the capacity
they are depressed
they are stuck up and don't really want to talk to people.

It is important the employers know about hearing loss so they can avoid these kinds of negative judgements and stereotypes.

Identifying Hearing Problems in Learning Environments

If you think a child is being difficult or naughty, it may be due to their poor hearing. Understanding what to look for in children’s behaviour, at home and at school, may help you identify and manage listening problems.

At childcare and school

Children with Conductive Hearing Loss:

will find it hard to hear when it is noisy
may be seen as aggressive, over indulged or over sensitive
may often be in trouble at school or be quiet, shy or anxious
may have difficulty learning to read and spell
may have problems playing team sports because they cannot hear other players or the coach.

At home

Children with Conductive Hearing Loss:

may not understand or respond to what
is said to them
can be easily frustrated and naughty
may come home from school feeling tired
and bad tempered, from having to work so
hard to listen in class
may be demanding, argue a lot and/or sulk.

Video clip about hearing loss

Stephen Torres-Carne works in an agency providing mediation and legal services for Aboriginal people.

A person with hearing loss may think they are speaking loud enough to be heard. The listener may think they are mumbling. Steven describes his experiences of this situation while growing up with hearing loss.

Duration: 3.10 minutes
File size: 3.5MB

Click on the video camera icon and a new window will open to play the video. Requires Quicktime or Windows Media Player