LINT - Hearing Inclusion (HI)
LINT use the term 'deaf' to include all levels and types of deafness from mild to profound deafness.
About LINT (HI)
LINT (HI) comprises a team of specialist staff who have expertise in deafness/hearing inclusion. The team consists of specialist teachers who hold the mandatory qualification for teaching children and young people with deafness or who are hard of hearing, and Specialist Sensory Teaching Assistants (SSTAs) who have experience and qualifications in a number of areas such as: listening, language and communication, British Sign Language (BSL) and Sign Supported English (SSE), Early Years curriculum modification, hearing technologies and pre and post tutoring. Additionally, the team includes a Highly Specialist Speech and Language Therapist, as well as a Specialist Sensory Learning Mentor.
Referring babies, children and young people into the team
Referrals for hearing inclusion are usually received from Audiology, ENT, a health professional or via the Newborn Hearing Screening Programme. However schools, settings and parents/carers can also refer using the referral form if a diagnosis of deafness has been given.
Make a referral
Once a referral has been made
Following referral to LINT, contact is made with parents/carers, the school/setting and background information is sought. Where necessary, staff also contact the relevant hospital and request up-to-date clinical information.
LINT (HI) work with babies and families who have been referred following diagnosis at birth from the Newborn Hearing Screening Programme. A Teacher of the Deaf is allocated to work with the family at home. A visit is made to the child or young person and an initial assessment is completed.
Staff liaise closely with relevant members of the ENT/Audiology/Cochlear Implant teams, sharing results of assessments, liaising regarding clinics and sharing information for the benefit of the child or young person.
Interventions the deaf child or young person will receive
Where possible, specialist teachers work with babies, children and young people without the need for statutory assessment. LINT (HI) aim to give advice and guidance to schools, settings and their staff in order to provide equal access to the curriculum for deaf children and young people.
The Gateshead SEND Threshold document identifies appropriate interventions (in line with the NatSIP Eligibility Criteria) according to identified levels of need. This is reviewed on annual basis or as deemed appropriate by a specialist teacher.
We aim is to provide appropriate intervention quickly. Intervention can vary and is designed to ensure that the individual and specific needs of each child and young person are met. In some cases, children and young people in schools/settings may be allocated specialist support or additional resources to help them access the curriculum.
In all cases a functional hearing assessment is carried out. This assessment aims to determine:
- how children and young people use their residual hearing
- the impact of deafness upon language learning and communication
- under what conditions children and young people can hear best
- the effective use of hearing aid technologies
The purpose is to provide information about the use of residual hearing to plan intervention, enhance listening skills and advise on appropriate methods of access to the curriculum. In Gateshead, LINT (HI) aim to complete (as a minimum) annual assessments of functional hearing for all children and young people on the caseload.
Interventions that the school or setting could receive
LINT (HI) can support schools and settings in a number of ways, including:
- explaining the nature of the deafness or hearing loss and the implications for education
- support school staff in the effective use of hearing technologies
- producing individualised guidance based upon the child or young person's needs
- providing a range of informal and formal training opportunities to share proven best practice
- providing deaf awareness for peers, classes or year groups
- providing specialist advice on accessibility and health and safety issues
- providing advice as part of the needs assessment process for Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs)
- supporting teaching sessions either in class or in a one to one situation
- providing sign language support as appropriate
- researching and applying for funding of specialist equipment as appropriate
- completing environmental advice to ensure effective access to the spoken word and promote independence
- specialist teaching of identified communication methods and for the learning of language skills
- advising on appropriate modification techniques to ensure equal access to the curriculum
- ensuring successful entry to school and transition between year groups and key stages
- advising on appropriate access arrangements for internal and external examinations
Support that LINT (HI) can give to the family
LINT (HI) work effectively with parents by sharing information and expertise around the child/young person.
LINT (HI) can help through a number of ways including:
- modelling effective communication with a deaf child within the family home
- signposting families to social groups run in partnership with the voluntary and third sector agencies
- providing explanations of the deafness and the implications of this on listening, speech, language and communication development
- involving and supporting the family throughout ongoing hearing assessment and use of hearing technologies
- helping the family to contact and access other supportive agencies
- supporting the child or young person and their family at ENT/Audiology/cochlear implant appointments
- supporting the child or young person and their family at multi-disciplinary meetings
- signposting to sign language teaching as appropriate
- encouraging the child or young person's participation in a range of leisure and out of school activities
- modelling of resources and activities/equipment toys to help develop and enhance the child's skills
Information for families, schools and settings
The National Deaf Children's Society (opens new window) offer advice and support to all deaf children and their families and the people who work with them.
Listening to Learn from the Ewing Foundation (opens new window)
- explains what glue ear is and how it can make listening hard work and tiring
- outlines the simple steps that can be taken to help children to hear at school
- provides information about improving the listening environment
British Sign Language - Fingerspelling
BSL Fingerspelling right handed (PDF, 255 KB)(opens new window)
BSL Fingerspelling left handed (PDF, 201 KB)(opens new window)
Sport and Leisure newsletter
The Low Incidence Needs Team - Hearing Inclusion (LINT-HI) newsletter is a guide to inclusive D/deaf friendly fun in our local area.
Download the newsletter (PDF, 715 KB)(opens new window)
For more documents to support children with hearing inclusion see LINT professionals toolkit. More resources can be found in the support organisations directory.
Contact
Jennifer Devine
Lead Teacher for Hearing Inclusion
0191 433 8755
If you have any queries, please email [email protected]
Business Support Team
Floor 2 Civic Centre
Regent Street
Gateshead
NE8 1HH