Good hearing supports
learning, language and connection.
Children rely on hearing to develop speech and language, follow instructions, learn in the classroom and connect with the people around them. Hearing difficulties are not always obvious, so knowing what to look for can help parents, families and educators recognise when further assessment may be appropriate.
When a child cannot hear clearly, the signs may appear.
A child may not be able to explain that something sounds different or that speech is difficult to understand. Instead, parents and teachers may notice changes in listening, speech, attention, classroom participation or responses to sound.
These signs do not necessarily mean that a child has hearing loss. Persistent concerns, however, should be discussed with an appropriate healthcare or hearing-care professional.
Children may show hearing difficulties
in different ways.
Not Responding Consistently
The child may not always respond when called, particularly from another room or when they cannot see the speaker.
Frequently Asking for Repetition
They may often say “what?”, ask for instructions again or rely on watching the speaker’s face.
Turning the Volume Up
Television, tablets or other devices may be used at a volume that seems louder than expected.
Speech or Language Concerns
Speech and language development may appear delayed or some speech sounds may be difficult to produce clearly.
Difficulty in the Classroom
The child may miss instructions, struggle to follow discussion or appear less engaged during listening-based activities.
Listening Fatigue or Inattention
Listening may require extra effort, which can sometimes look like distraction, tiredness or reduced concentration.
Observe. Listen.
Check. Support.
Observe
Notice how the child responds to voices, instructions and everyday sounds at home, school and in different environments.
Listen
Take concerns raised by the child, family members, teachers or caregivers seriously, especially when the same pattern appears repeatedly.
Check
If concerns persist, arrange an appropriate hearing assessment rather than relying only on observation or an online screen.
Support
If a hearing difficulty is identified, follow professional advice and make communication and classroom adjustments where appropriate.
A child can hear a voice and still miss parts of the message.
Classrooms can be challenging listening environments. Distance from the teacher, background noise, several people speaking and room acoustics can make speech harder to follow for a child with hearing difficulty.
Possible classroom signs include missing verbal instructions, watching classmates before starting a task, difficulty following group discussion, inconsistent responses, reduced participation or appearing inattentive.
These behaviours can have many causes and should not be used to diagnose hearing loss. Where hearing is a concern, professional assessment can help clarify whether further support is needed.
Concerned About a Child's Hearing?
If you have ongoing concerns about how a child hears, responds, communicates or manages in the classroom, consider discussing them with a qualified hearing-care or healthcare professional.