Disability Living Allowance ()
Deafness and hearing impairment can qualify for . Focus on:
- Care component – extra help with communication, safety, and supervision
- Mobility component – if your child needs supervision outdoors because they cannot hear traffic or warnings
Explain the daily impact: not hearing alarms, needing help to cross roads, requiring someone to interpret in social situations.
Hearing aids and cochlear implants
- Hearing aids – available on the through audiology. Batteries and repairs are free.
- Cochlear implants – for severe to profound hearing loss. Assessment is via a specialist implant centre. The implant and follow-up are -funded.
- Bone-anchored hearing aids (BAHA) – for conductive hearing loss or single-sided deafness.
Assistive technology
- Radio aids – often funded by the local authority
- Alerting devices – flashing doorbells, vibrating alarm clocks, smoke alarms with strobe lights
- Streamers – connect hearing aids to phones, TVs, and computers
- Captioning and subtitles – essential for TV, online learning, and video calls
Some equipment is free; some may be covered by a personal budget or charitable grant.
Charities that help
- National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS) – family support, events, legal advice
- Auditory Verbal UK – therapy for children with cochlear implants
- The Elizabeth Foundation – early years support for deaf children
- Signature – BSL qualifications and information
Higher education and DSA
From age 16, deaf students can apply for Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) for:
- Note-takers or speech-to-text reporters
- BSL interpreters
- Specialist equipment
- Travel costs