Hearing and Deaf Support Team (HDST)

The Hearing and Deaf Support Team (HDST) provides an island wide, family-friendly service for children and young people aged 0 to 19 years with a diagnosed hearing loss.​

All children with an established diagnosis of hearing loss will see a Teacher of the Deaf (ToD). The role of the ToD is dependent on the individual needs of the child and their stage in development and education. Decisions about what kind of support a child needs are made on a case by case basis.

As a minimum, all children’s academic progress and social inclusion is monitored from diagnosis until they leave education. Some children will need direct services by a ToD including specialist assessment and teaching.

In the early years particularly, ToDs will work closely with parents and families supporting their understanding of hearing loss, equipment involved and also the learning needs of their child.

Hearing and Deaf Support Team support during the coronavirus pandemic

Early Years Service

Home visits have been replaced by video conference calls which take place with same frequency.

School and Post 16 Services

School / college visits have been replaced by telephone calls to families.

High Needs

Specialist teaching by qualified Teachers of the Deaf in person have been replaced by video conference support sessions; for any child / young person who usually has in-class keyworker support, this support has been replaced by keyworkers being available by video conference or email as per school timetable.

How to access the service

Following diagnosis of a hearing loss, the Audiology Department sends a referral to the Department for Children, Young People, Education and Skills.

Contact details

Hearing and Deaf Support Team manager: +44 (0) 1534 449326

Audiologist: +44 (0) 1534 449323

Teachers of the Deaf: +44 (0) 1534 449489