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Deafness and sight loss

Things you can try at home and in the classroom

Our resource area has activities and practical help and strategies to help support your child, like these 'how to' videos from the National Deaf Children's Society. 

View our deaf and sight loss self-help resources

Talk to someone about your concerns

Newborn babies are usually offered a newborn hearing screening. This can happen up until the age of 3 months. If you are worried about your child's hearing or sight, you can make an appointment with a professional to discuss your concerns.

Speak to your GP

It's a good idea to talk to your doctor as they may be able to refer you on to other specialist services.

Speak to your health visitor

They can help you with your child's health and development from ages 0 - 5.

Visit your local family centre

Find out what support is on offer in your local community

Speak to an optician

Find your nearest optician and make an appointment for an eye test.

Support for deafness and sight loss at school 

Your first step in finding support at school is to talk to your child's class teacher or SENCo about your concerns.

Deaf and Hearing Support Services (DHSS)

This team of qualified specialists and teachers of the deaf support children and young people (0-25) with deafness.

Vision Impairment team

This team of advisory teachers are qualified in educating children and young people who are blind/ partially sighted (ages 0-19).

Multisensory Impairment Team

This team supports children and young people aged 0-25 who have combined deafness and vision loss (are deafblind).

Health services you can be referred to  

Hearing services

Children's services 0 - 18

Children's hearing service - West Hertfordshire

Support children aged 0 - 18 in Watford, Hertsmere, St Albans and Harpenden, Three Rivers, Watford.

Paediatric Audiology - East and North Hertfordshire

Based in Stevenage, treats children from newborn to school-leaving age.

Adult's services 18+

Adult Audiology department - West Hertfordshire

Supporting deaf adults, including help with hearing aids. Covers Dacorum, Hertsmere, St Albans and Harpenden, Three Rivers, Watford.

Audiology - East and North Hertfordshire

Supporting deaf adults, including help with hearing aids and a Tinnitus clinic.

Eye services

Children's services 0 - 18

Children's eye service

Mainly treats children under 7 years old.

Ophthalmology - Herts Valleys

For patients aged 16+. Clinics deliver support around the county from hospitals and community practices.

Adult's services 18+

Ophthalmology - East and North Hertfordshire

Including retinal screening and an urgent urgent eye clinic.

Ophthalmology - Herts Valleys

For patients aged 16+. Clinics delivered around the county from hospitals and community practices.

Ophthalmology - West Hertfordshire

Support for adults who are blind or have sight loss delivered from Watford, St Albans and Hemel Hempstead.


Organisations that can help

Phoenix Group

The Phoenix Group for Deaf Children & Young Adults is a charity working with deaf children, young people and their families, based in Stevenage and supporting their members in Hertfordshire.

Herts Vision Loss

Supporting and empowering people in Hertfordshire with a visual impairment

National Deaf Children's Society

National Deaf Children's Society supports families and provides information from birth to adulthood for all types of hearing loss, from glue ear to permanent hearing loss.

National Cued Speech Association

Supports and advocates for users of cued speech.

Page was last updated on: 14/11/2025 11:09:58