Supporting deaf children and their families

One in 850 babies born in the UK have a significant hearing loss. Early detection is vital if they are to have the best chance of developing effective language and communication skills. Fitted early, hearing aids and cochlear implants can transform opportunities for these children.

80% of all pre-school children will suffer from glue ear. The condition causes temporary hearing loss at a critical time in a child's development and there is now evidence of significant longer-term effects on reading ability, verbal IQ and behaviour.

Deafness Research UK has:

• completed a pilot study of a new, non-invasive test for detecting hearing loss in premature babies. These babies are at high risk of deafness resulting from damage to the brain or central auditory pathway which can't be detected by existing screening methods. This study has shown that the new technique can detect these abnormalities and it is hoped to undertake larger scale trials
• continued a major two-year study of recessive genes for deafness. This work has already contributed to the identification of a new deafness gene, stereocilin, and some significant findings are emerging about those genes responsible for large numbers of cases of childhood deafness in the UK. The families involved in the study are benefiting from the information being uncovered through improved genetic counselling and, for families who come forward for genetic counselling in the future, the project will provide the information needed to prioritise gene screening. The work will also help establish priorities for further research to isolate deafness genes
• completed a four-year programme of work to develop a new way of measuring the progress being made by children who have received cochlear implants. The new procedure, based on a child's ability to understand and re-tell stories, is already being used by teachers of the deaf, speech and language therapists and teams researching the most effective rehabilitation methods for deaf children. We aim to support further training and dissemination among those working with deaf children as well as studies of the technique over the longer term
• started research into the mechanisms involved in glue ear. The study will look at the chain of events leading from the initial inflammatory response to the production of the glue-like mucus behind the eardrum as well as the genetic identity of the mucus and how it is regulated. The aim is to develop medical alternatives to the existing surgical treatments for glue ear.