Research shows that the prevalence of hearing loss in autistic children and young people and those with a learning disability is higher than among their peers. They are also very likely to have a condition called glue ear, where the empty middle part of the ear fills up with fluid causing temporary loss of hearing. Despite this, many do not receive an appropriate hearing check.

Hearing difficulties can cause or contribute to speech or language delays, as well as difficulties with learning and reading, and cause difficulties when communicating with others. Without support, hearing difficulties can make a child’s day to day life and learning more challenging and can impact on their educational progress and social development.

Development of the service to offer free ear checks to all children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities, including those with a learning disability or autism, in special residential schools and colleges, seeks to improve access to hearing checks. It is recognised that children and young people attending special residential schools and colleges are likely to be placed a distance away from home, likely to be more vulnerable and more likely to experience greater difficulties in accessing existing services and need reasonable adjustments to help them access ear checks.

Hearing tests for autistic children and young people and those who have a learning disability who do not go to a residential special school

Routine hearing tests are offered to new-born babies and children to identify any problems early on in their development.

Although serious hearing problems during childhood are rare, early testing ensures that any problems are picked up and managed as early as possible.

Your child’s hearing may also be checked as part of your child’s health and development appointments, and at school when they are around four or five years old.

Your child’s hearing can also be checked at any other time if you have any concerns. Speak to a GP or health visitor if you’re worried about your child’s hearing.

Creative thinking wins the audiology team an Advancing Healthcare Award

In 2021 the audiology team from the NHSE Sensory Check Programme won an Advancing Healthcare Award.

The team redesigned pathways, during the COVID-19 pandemic to  deliver safe hearing checks to children and young people with a learning disability, autism or both.

The team recognised that going to hospital can be challenging for children who have complex needs and there are often many difficulties and barriers that impact children and their families. They subsequently trained parents to perform some of the checks at home, using a smartphone to look in the ear that enables remote review and a pressure test to rule out glue ear..”

A parent who used the at home testing equipment said: “This has blown me away with the amounts of research and care and thought that’s going into how the NHS can support children with special needs.”

More information

Families and carers

We have worked with SeeAbility, Contact and the National Deaf Children’s Society to produce a parents’ guide to hearing care for children with a learning disability, autism or both.  The guide explains why these health checks are important, how they are done, how to access them and how to prepare and support your child.

The Down’s Syndrome Association have a range of resources about childhood hearing loss and advice about hearing tests.

Useful organisations

National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS): NDCS offer free information and support to families with a deaf child via their Helpline, website and web forums.