Hearing is important for communication, learning, relationships and participation at school and in the community. Some children and young people with cerebral palsy (CP) also have hearing loss. 

CP and hearing loss may share some risk factors or causes, such as premature birth, complications around birth, infections or genetic conditions. Hearing loss may be present from early childhood or develop later. 

There are different types of hearing loss: 

Hearing can change over time. If your child or young person says they are not hearing clearly, or you notice changes in how they respond to sounds, communicate, learn or take part in conversations, talk to their GP or healthcare team. They may recommend an assessment with an audiologist. 

Hearing loss can affect communication, learning, concentration, friendships and participation. Support at school can help children and young people access lessons and take part in school activities. This may include changes to the classroom environment, communication support, assistive listening technology or other adjustments based on the young person’s needs. 

Treatment and support depend on the type and cause of hearing loss. Some hearing problems may improve with treatment, while permanent hearing loss may require ongoing support. This can include regular hearing assessments, hearing aids, communication support, speech pathology or other specialist services. 

Hearing aids can make sounds easier to hear and can be programmed by an audiologist to match a person’s hearing needs. For some children and young people with severe or profound sensorineural hearing loss who do not receive enough benefit from hearing aids, a cochlear implant may be considered. A cochlear implant is an electronic device with internal and external parts that sends signals to the hearing nerve.  

Some hearing loss is temporary, while other types are permanent. Early identification and the right support can help children and young people communicate, learn and participate in everyday life.