Helping your deaf child sleep

Sleeping problems are quite common in deaf children of all ages, and not knowing why your child is experiencing them can be frustrating. 

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Our information is here to help you understand possible explanations, explore tips on how to help your child and know where to go for extra support.

How deafness may affect sleep

There are many possible reasons why your deaf child experiences sleeping problems. For example:

• Sensory worries Darkness may seem even more frightening for a child when there is no sound. They may want to know where their family is, and without hearing or using their sight, it can be scary for them.
• Hearing devices If your child uses hearing technology, they may not like the quiet when their technology is taken off at night – or they might still ‘hear’ buzzing sounds.
• Tinnitus Some deaf children have tinnitus, which can seem loud and intrusive at night.
• Balance struggles Hearing helps with balance, so without auditory input (like when hearing devices are removed), deaf children rely on visual and tactile cues, which are less effective in the dark. This can cause disorientation and make it harder for them to relax and wind down at night.
• Busy minds and bodies Routines are important for deaf children to prepare to relax into sleep. Try and make sure you establish a routine that works for you and your family. Routines help deaf children feel safe and secure, and it makes their environment more predictable.

Once you’ve thought about which of these reasons may apply to your child, there are lots of things you can do that may help.

Removing hearing technology at bedtime

If your bedtime routine includes storytime, you can read a story together and then remove their hearing devices. Reassure them that they won’t be missing out on anything important or exciting because their hearing technology has been removed – their brains will still let them have creative dreams. 

If they hear buzzing sounds, let them know that it’s normal. You could say something like, “When you take off your hearing devices, your ears might still ‘hear’ a buzzing sound because your brain is used to the sounds from your processors and is trying to figure out why they aren’t there anymore. It’s like your body needs to get used to the quiet!” 

Once your child is old enough, they could either remove it themselves, or you could remove it for them once they’ve fallen asleep. Try to have a designated space (for example, in a bowl on the bedside table) so they can put it back in if they wake up and feel scared.

Her bedtime routine is particularly solid, [but] for the majority of it, she’s without hearing. The fact that she knows what comes next reduces any toddler stand-offs [being] compounded by a refusal to look at us to communicate. In the morning, Isabelle doesn’t like to wear her processors straight away ... so we’re more than happy to give her autonomy over when the sounds of her day start." 

-Nicky is mum to Isabelle (2), and they’re both profoundly deaf]

Helping your child feel less frightened or isolated at night

Although the reasons behind nighttime worries might differ between hearing and deaf children, there’s a surprising amount of overlap between what they find helpful or comforting. 

The parents we’ve spoken to use lots of different approaches. Many strategies that help hearing children feel safe and reassured can also be beneficial for deaf children. 

Depending on your child’s age and level of deafness, there are different ways to help them feel safe and reassured. We’ve included some examples below, but if you’ve got a Teacher of the Deaf, you might also like to check in with them. They sometimes have digital groups on WhatsApp that you can join, which makes it easy to get advice from other parents in similar situations.

Nightlights for comfort and visual reassurance

For deaf children who rely on sign and visual communication, darkness can feel worrying. Leaving a nightlight or a hallway light on can help. Younger children might particularly like rotating light mobiles or even glow in the dark stickers that focus their attention and offer visual comfort.

Clear communication for security

As part of your routine, make sure they know when you’re going to leave the room. This helps minimise their worries if they wake up and realise you’ve gone. Some children also like having a piece of your clothing with them, as they find the familiar smell comforting. 

Deaf-friendly technologies for safety

If your child is worried about missing sounds (such as a smoke alarm) in the night, involve your child in reassuring discussions about deaf-friendly technology in the home. For example, explain to them that the local fire service can help with flashing smoke alarms. Knowing there are solutions in place can help them feel more secure.

Independent sleeping to reduce startles or fear

Where possible, try to get them to settle in their own bed instead of your bed or the sofa. If you move them to their own bed and they wake up in a different place to where they fell asleep, they may be startled and in need of reassurance to resettle.

Sensory solutions for safe sleep

Particularly if your child has balance issues, it may help to tuck them in tightly so that they feel ‘grounded’. Some children are very sensory seeking. If you find your child tightly cocooned in the night, they may benefit from being tucked in. Weighted blankets can often help children feel more secure.

Sounds to mask tinnitus or soothe away silence

Particularly if your child struggles with tinnitus, playing white noise, rainfall sounds, gentle music or even audiobooks can help create a soothing atmosphere. It can mask other noises that might be distracting and make bedtime less overwhelming. (Our page on tinnitus offers more information, but you can also contact your child’s GP or audiologist for advice!)

If you’re struggling with bedtime routines for your deaf child

Many children thrive on routine, so finding a consistent bedtime routine that works for you can be helpful. Try to talk about the routine with your child during the day when they aren’t too tired. 

If you’re struggling, here are some deaf-friendly bedtime tips:

1. Limit stimulating activities before bed. Screen time or energetic play right before bedtime can make it harder to wind down. Switch off TVs, phones, tablets and gaming devices about an hour before bed. Try things like a soothing bath, lavender spray and stories instead.
2. Strategically offer snacks. Melatonin is a neurohormone produced by our brains. It tells us when it’s time to wake up and go to sleep. Things like bananas, wholewheat bread and strawberries contain melatonin, so they could be a good pre-bedtime snack.
3. Use visual cues. Since auditory cues may not be as effective, try things like dimming lights, soft projection lamps, special bedtime toys or a visual reminder when it’s time for sleep. Visual timetables can show the bedtime routine – bath, story, kiss, bed – and you can take each picture away as it's completed. This can reduce the anxiety of it ‘suddenly’ being bedtime.
4. Offer comfort and security. Tucking them in tightly or using weighted blankets can provide a calming effect, especially if they’re struggling with balance. If they’re worried about not waking up in time, things like vibrating or light-based alarm clocks or smartwatches may help.
5. Consider white noise or relaxing sounds. For those with tinnitus or sensitivity to quiet, playing audiobooks or white noise can help create a relaxing sound environment.
6. Keep it consistent. Life can get busy, but as much as possible, try to stick to the routine. And make sure it’s manageable to do the same thing every time your child wakes up during the night. For example, you could settle them back to bed with a soft toy, a hug or a song.

How to get more support

After you’ve tried these suggestions, you might find you still need extra help and support. Our online information session about sleep for deaf children offers a chance to ask questions and connect with other families in similar situations.

Don’t forget you can turn to your family, friends and the professionals you work with, too. For example, if you’ve got a Teacher of the Deaf, they sometimes have digital groups on WhatsApp that you can join. The group chat can make it easier to get advice from other parents in similar situations.

There are also other useful websites and resources. Although they’re not specific to deafness, they do offer plenty of practical tips and advice. 

• The Council for Disabled Children has produced an information booklet about sleep.
• The Sleep Charity provides free training workshops for parents (and professionals).
• Contact has a useful leaflet about helping disabled children sleep.
• Scope offers plenty of tips on sleeping, organises workshops and works with individual families.
• The Friendship Circle Blog features sleeping tips for children with special needs.
• Cerebra has sleep practitioners who can offer help and advice on sleep issues, some of which include settling problems, difficulty sleeping alone and early rising. However, they only work with children who have a confirmed neurological diagnosis.
• Sleep Action (formerly Sleep Scotland) provides support to families of children and young people in Scotland with additional needs and severe sleep problems.