Hearing loss

Hearing loss is the most common after-effect of meningitis. Difficulties can range from mild hearing loss through to profound deafness in one or both ears. Damage to the inner ear can also result in balance problems and tinnitus (ringing in the ears).

Hearing loss may not be immediately obvious. It is important that you, or the person affected by meningitis, has a hearing test soon after the disease. If a hearing test has not been carried out, contact your GP and they will arrange this. All hearing losses are different and hearing tests may need to be repeated.

A hearing loss can cause major changes in lifestyle for the individual, family, school etc. For support and information please call us, there may be many ways we can help you. Our financial grants, which are not means tested, have funded sign language classes, auditory verbal therapy and much, much more to help with hearing loss following meningitis. Please contact us for more information on financial grants and our other free support services.

Other organisations that can help

The Elizabeth Foundation is a national charity supporting infants and pre-school aged children with hearing loss and their families, by providing help, support and encouragement. It is the Elizabeth Foundation's belief that it is the right of every deaf child to be given the opportunity to learn to listen and talk.

www.elizabeth-foundation.org

Hearing Link is the UK hearing loss organisation that makes it easy to find the right information, services and support. It is for people with any level of hearing loss and for their families too. 

 www.hearinglink.org

Action on Hearing Loss is the new name for Royal National Institute for the Deaf. The organisation provides support for people with hearing loss and tinnitus.

www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk

The National Deaf Children's Society provides support for deaf children and campaigns to remove the barriers to achievement for deaf children throughout the world.

www.ndcs.org.uk