Hearing Health: Assistance for a child or young person under 21 years after a hearing loss has been identified
Where can I go for help after a child is diagnosed with a hearing loss?
When a hearing loss is confirmed by diagnostic audiology there are many things to be considered including intervention options (hearing aids, medical treatment, surgical intervention); communication choices (signing, speech, combination); education options (early intervention, education support, special schooling); and habilitation programs. Children and families need information and support to assist in making these decisions.
Hearing service providers, support groups and advocacy organisations will be able to provide assistance at this time. Diagnostic audiology service providers will be able to provide information about these services.
The following services may be helpful when considering a young child’s (0-6 years) early intervention needs:
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The NSW Department of Education and Training provides education support services to children who are deaf or hearing impaired in early intervention, mainstream and support classes.
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The Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children provides services for children with hearing and/or vision impairment.
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The Shepherd Centre in Sydney works with children who are deaf and hearing impaired to help them learn to speak and communicate.
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St Gabriel’s School for Hearing Impaired Children at Castle Hill, Sydney, provides services through early intervention and school programs using an auditory-verbal approach.
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The Catholic Centre for Hearing Impaired Children offers an auditory-verbal program with home visits and evenings for parents. Programs are unique to each child and family. For more information call (02) 9746 6942. St Dominic’s Centre for Hearing Impaired Children at Mayfield near Newcastle provides services through early intervention and school programs using an auditory–oral approach.
The following services may be helpful when considering a school-aged child’s education needs:
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The NSW Department of Education and Training provides education support services to children who are deaf or hearing impaired in early intervention, mainstream and support classes.
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The Catholic Education Commission coordinates Catholic education in NSW, including the provision of special education support for children with hearing impairment.
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The Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children provides services for children with hearing and/or vision impairment.
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The Association of Independent Schools represents private schools in NSW. For more information go to
The following independent schools provide specialist education for Deaf and hearing impaired students:
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St Dominic’s Centre for Hearing Impaired Children at Mayfield near Newcastle provides services through early intervention and school programs using an auditory–oral approach.
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St Gabriel’s School for Hearing Impaired Children at Castle Hill, Sydney, provides services through early intervention and school programs using an auditory-verbal approach.
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Thomas Pattison School at North Rocks, Sydney, caters for the academic, social and cultural needs of children in Kindergarten to ear 10 who are Deaf and use Auslan as their first or preferred language
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The Garfield Barwick School at RIDBC, North Parramatta, offers an auditory/oral program for children aged 41/2-12 years who have significant hearing impairment. Children use cochlear implants or hearing aids. For more information go to
For families considering cochlear implantation, the Sydney Cochlear Implant Centre offers services to all families, including children, adolescents and adults who are considering,or who have received, Cochlear Implants.
At this time families may also be interested in obtaining information from groups or agencies established to provide support to families and children with hearing problems. Healthcare providers and educators may be able to recommend support groups, advocacy bodies or associations that are relevant to individual circumstances.
The following websites may be useful in providing information about groups that are relevant to your circumstances.
Click here for more information on support agencies.
This web page is managed and authorised by Primary Health & Community Partnerships of the NSW Department of Health. Last updated: 17 March, 2009