Dungannon mum says she was given “leaflets but not much else” after learning baby son was deaf

WHEN Mason Boyd was identified as profoundly deaf as a baby, his mother Janine, found it a “scary and unknown time”.

​“We were given leaflets but not much else,” said Janine, from Dungannon. “The most challenging part was the unknown. We didn’t know anyone who was deaf and had no experience of it. It was very overwhelming.”

Janine described the challenges of navigating appointments and managing hearing aids while caring for a baby, alongside the worry many parents experience after learning their child is deaf.

“We were told Mason needed to wear his hearing aids as much as possible, but when the moulds didn’t fit properly, they would fall out and whistle constantly”, she explained.

" It just added to the stress and worry that you’re not doing what you should be doing for your child. Even speaking about it now makes me feel anxious again. I just constantly worried for my child’s future.”

Janine says one of the biggest turning points came when she was put in touch with other families of deaf children through the National Deaf Children’s Society.

“Meeting other parents was the best thing we ever did. We no longer felt alone. When you meet families who are a little further along the journey, it gives you hope. You realise your child has a future and that there is a whole community ready to support you.”

Today, Mason is four-years-old and uses both spoken English and British Sign Language. Janine added: “What families need most at the beginning is information, empathy and support, not just a bunch of leaflets.”

Janine’s story reflects the experiences shared by other families who contributed to a new report from the National Deaf Children’s Society, ‘Why Every Moment Counts: Deaf Children and Paediatric Audiology Services in Northern Ireland’, which highlights the vital role audiology services play in identifying deafness, supporting families and connecting children with the specialist help they need.

Families of deaf children can feel isolated and overwhelmed after learning their child is deaf, the report found. It calls for action to strengthen hearing services across Northern Ireland, helping ensure deaf children and their families receive the right support at the right time.

Drawing on information provided by the Department of Health and the experiences of parents and carers, the report highlights both positive practice and areas where services are under pressure.

These include staffing levels, facilities, data collection, checks to make sure services are safe and effective, and concerns about waiting times raised by families and professionals.

The report highlights the vital role hearing services play in helping families understand their child’s deafness, access support and connect with specialist services.

It also found that families’ experiences varied. While some received timely support, others described delays in appointments and difficulties accessing information, support and advice after learning their child was deaf.

The report recognises the commitment and professionalism of audiologists and other professionals working with deaf children and families across Northern Ireland. It also calls for:

• A long-term plan for children’s hearing services in Northern Ireland.
• Regular publication of waiting times for children’s hearing appointments.
• Action to address staffing shortages and secure services for the future.
• Better joined-up support between health, education and voluntary organisations.
• Making sure deaf children and families have a say in shaping services.
• Consistent checks across Northern Ireland to make sure services are safe and effective.

George Crockford, chief executive at the National Deaf Children’s Society, said: “Paediatric audiology is one of the most important services a deaf child will ever access. It is often where deafness is first identified and acts as the gateway to specialist support that can have a lifelong impact on a child’s development, education and wellbeing.

“This report highlights the dedication of professionals working across Northern Ireland, but it also shows that services are facing significant pressures. We have an opportunity to learn from developments elsewhere in the UK and ensure services here are supported, sustainable and equipped to deliver the highest standards of care.

“By listening to families, supporting audiology services and taking a strategic approach to improvement, we can help ensure every deaf child gets the right support at the right time.”

The report was launched at Stormont on Tuesday at an event bringing together government, health professionals, families and charities to discuss how support for deaf children can be strengthened across Northern Ireland.

An estimated 1,750 deaf children live in Northern Ireland. The National Deaf Children’s Society says timely access to high-quality audiology services is essential to improve their health, wellbeing and future opportunities, while supporting their families.