The aims of the STLS Sensory Service - Hearing Impairment Team are to:

• Support access to learning

• Enable access to communication and information

• Develop independence

In Kent there are approximately 500 children and young people who required specialist interventions to access learning and support to develop their communication and language because of a hearing impairment.  We also provide information, advice and guidance for another 600 children and young people whose needs are met through appropriate strategies at home and in the classroom.

The incidence of hearing impairment is low, but the impact can be significant.  Therefore, early identification is vital together with access to specialist support.  Families, preschool settings and schools/colleges all require advice, support and training to ensure children and young people with hearing impairment make good progress with their learning and development. 

The vast majority of children and young people with a hearing impairment in Kent attend a local mainstream school or special school, although a small number attend a mainstream school with a specialist resourced provision for hearing impairment.