Ear defenders at school

[ChitterChatter1987]

I've been having abit of back and forth with DD and school, just looking for opinions pls....

DD is 7, undergoing assessment for ASD/ADHD.She used to wear ear defenders regularly in class a couple of years back....these were provided by school on our request.Then they took them back as she didn't seem to be needing them much (DD at the time told me she was OK with this but now says they took them off her when she wanted them so whether it was because they wanted someone else to use them I don't know) The other day she randomly told me she wanted to use some again as assembly and lunchtimes are too noisy.I didn't know if they would still have some for her at school, so let her take her own ones in.
Since then, DD has said she also wants to use them in class as its noisy and certain sounds can trigger her, but isn't allowed.
Her teacher we are very familiar with and this is her 2nd year with her, she has always been really nice, but when i asked about it her and the TA have said that it doesn't seem like DD needs them in class and they can end up stopping her from listening.
Dd isn't very happy about it as she says other children in the class use them whenever they want yet she has to keep them outside the class in her bag and isn't allowed to have free access to them.
When I questioned this they said those children wear them to focus on independent learning wheras DD needs to be able to engage with support from the TA.
I am inclined to think let her have them whenever but obviously not there to witness if they have any negative impact on her listening etc.
Just interested in others thoughts...

My child wore them during lessons in primary. They helped tone down some of the distractive background noise but still allowed him to hear the teacher and participate in the class. They don't block 100% of sound. It sounds like school is being unreasonable.

We have used the over the ear defenders. The school recommended Flare Calmer in-ear ones to us, but we didn't get on with them as well. They might be a good option.

I work with SEN students in a school. I advocate for them using the supports they need, when they need them.

There are students who struggle to learn while wearing ear defenders. There are also students who struggle to speak at a reasonable volume while wearing them. I do not allow these children to use ear defenders during learning time.1

If DD can’t interact with the TA with the ear defenders on (some people would still be able to), she could take them off for their verbal interaction then put them back on.

Alternatively, you could discuss noise cancelling headphones (we use Bose). They could block out the background noise whilst still allowing DD to hear the TA.

The school could also look at placement within the classroom. Sometimes some parts of the class are noisier than others.

Request a meeting with the SENCO.

It's a reasonable adjustment and if they refuse that it goes against the Equality Act 2010. Point this out to them, in writing and make it a formal request that she can have them when SHE feels they are needed.

Why do school staff think they get to decide whether something is too loud or not for a child? It really annoys me!

DD wears ear defenders- her need to wear them has fluctuated over the last couple of years- by the end of last academic year she wasn't really wearing them at all, but her class is very noisy and unfortunately for other classroom management reasons she is next to a noisy kid.

Her teacher is happy for her to wear them but knows she sometimes misses instruction- so the compromise is she's at the front next to him, and he goes over and gives the instruction again if she's just staring off into space. I don't think he would dream of telling her not to wear them!

It's a pretty simple adjustment. When she's older and not likely to lose 3 pairs a week we might get her some flares or similar.