Here is the list of Top 10 Childhood Deafness and Hearing Loss research priorities agreed by deaf children. If you see a research question highlighted in colour, it means that question also appears in the adult Top 10 list!
You can find the BSL video of the list of priorities at the bottom of this page.
1
Incidental hearing and learning
How does it affect deaf children when they miss out on hearing things going on around them? Like during play with their friends.
2
Family relationships
How can families communicate well and have a good relationship with their deaf child?
3
Special educational needs
What kinds of help do deaf children need at school, especially if they have other learning needs too? Are they getting this?
4
Mild and unilateral deafness
If a child is a little bit deaf or deaf in one ear, do they still need help? If so, what works?
5
Language deprivation
Is it harder for deaf children if they don’t learn to communicate early in their lives?
6
Friendships
What needs to happen to help deaf children make and keep good friends?
7
Type of school
How can we tell what sort of schools are best for deaf children? e.g. a school with just deaf children, a school with deaf and hearing children, or a school with a special team to help deaf children?
8
Cognition
How does being deaf change the way children think, learn, pay attention, understand other people’s feelings, and feel sensations in their body? What would help?
9
Speech and language therapy
Is speech and language therapy helpful for deaf children?
10
Self-advocacy
What might help a deaf child feel proud and more confident about growing up to be a deaf adult?
Childhood Deafness Research Network 