Report raises concerns over socio-emotional difficulties amongst deaf children

Brother and sister Lexi and Mason Noone with Chime director of advocacy Brendan Lennon and Dr Elizabeth Mathews, of the School of Inclusive and Special Education, Dublin City University (Marc O’Sullivan/PA)

The rate of socio-emotional difficulties amongst deaf and hard of hearing children is more than three times that of the typical hearing population, a new report shows.

The study, the first of its kind carried out in Ireland, found that nearly half (42%) have clinically significant socio-emotional problems – which have an impact on home life, classroom learning and the ability to get on with others.