Psychiatric aspects of hearing impairments

Hearing impairment is a multifaceted condition with medical, social and cultural aspects. Children with hearing impairments follow many different developmental pathways, some growing up to join the Deaf community. Children with fluctuating hearing impairments are at greater risk of behavioural problems and language and reading delay. Children with permanent hearing impairment experience the same range of mental health problems as hearing children but their presentation, treatment and outcome can differ because of differences in communication and language use.