27/02/2026
“Before this experience, I didn’t realise that deafness is a spectrum.”
Mum Rachel reflects on Lily's newborn hearing screening, early identification and support.
"Lily’s hearing loss was first picked up during the newborn hearing screening programme. She didn’t pass the first or the second routine hearing test.
I remember feeling extremely anxious, but I was reassured repeatedly that it was ‘probably just fluid,’ which is very common in newborns. I’d had an uncomplicated pregnancy, and our first child doesn’t have hearing loss, so there was no reason to expect anything different.
We then had a 5-day wait before being referred to the audiology department at St George’s Hospital in Tooting. Those 5 days felt endless. We tried to keep busy and were surrounded by reassurance that everything would be fine.
On the day of the appointment, I remember we sat in a small room with the audiologist who, seeing how anxious I was, gently but quickly told us that Lily did indeed have some form of hearing loss.
At that point, the word ‘deaf’ wasn’t used, and we didn’t know the extent of the hearing loss. After a 3-hour assessment – which genuinely felt like a lifetime – we were told that Lily had moderate bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.
Lily had a series of medical appointments, including blood tests, MRIs and lengthy audiology sessions, to understand the exact nature of her hearing loss. Once we had clarity, we made the decision to move quickly with hearing aids. She was fitted with them at just 5 weeks old.
That day was incredibly special and emotional. You could see it instantly in her expressions and reactions – she was hearing fully for the first time. It was overwhelming in the best possible way.
Before this experience, I didn’t realise that deafness is a spectrum. I thought it was binary – I assumed you were either born profoundly deaf or fully hearing.
I’ve since learned so much about the different types of hearing loss and where Lily sits within that spectrum. We know she can hear, but without hearing aids, it would be difficult for her to pick up softer sounds and develop language in the same way. Thanks to early diagnosis and support, she now has the tools she needs to thrive.
With the new storyline about George Pig being identified as having hearing loss, I want to say that deaf representation shows children that their difference has value, that they belong. It shows them that difference is part of everyday life. It normalises it.
I also think that children’s TV has a powerful role in shaping identity. Deaf representation ensures difference is visible, valued and understood from an early age.
All I want for Lily is to be confident in herself and for her to live a happy, fulfilling and meaningful life. With a little extra help with her hearing thanks to the amazing technology we now have, I know that she will have this, and I’m forever grateful for all the early intervention that we’ve had."
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