This week (4-10 May) marks Deaf Awareness Week, which aims to raise awareness of deafness while celebrating the UK’s deaf community.

This year, the National Deaf Children’s Society is highlighting the early signs of deafness in children and reassuring families that support is available from the very start.

Deafness isn’t always obvious. Many children have mild or one‑sided hearing loss, meaning signs can be easy to miss. A child might not respond when called, struggle in noisy places, seem tired or withdrawn, or miss parts of conversations.

Spotting these signs early can be life‑changing. With the right support, deaf children can develop strong communication skills and grow up confident and proud of who they are. Sometimes, simply knowing what to look for makes all the difference.

If you’re worried about your child’s hearing, it’s important not to dismiss concerns. The National Deaf Children’s Society supports families of children with all levels of hearing loss, offering free information and advice.

Find out more at https://www.ndcs.org.uk/ or call the charity’s free Helpline on 0808 800 8880.

Yours faithfully,
George Crockford, chief executive of the National Deaf Children’s Society