If you have a deaf or hard-of-hearing child, you may have wondered whether they'll face extra challenges learning mathematics. A new systematic review of research studies offers reassuring insights: mathematical difficulties in deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) children are not across-the-board struggles, but rather show up in specific areas—and there's much parents and educators can do about it.
What the Research Found
Researchers reviewed 12 studies comparing mathematical abilities in deaf and hard-of-hearing children with their hearing peers. The key discovery? These children don't struggle equally with all types of math. Instead, they face particular difficulties with tasks that require strong language skills—think word problems, measurement concepts, and mathematical reasoning. However, when it comes to procedural tasks (like basic calculations) and visually supported learning, deaf and hard-of-hearing children performed much more comparably to their peers.
Importantly, these differences appear early—even in preschool—and persist through school years. This means early identification and support truly matter.
Why Language Makes the Difference
The research points to one critical factor: linguistic proficiency and access to a fully accessible language. In other words, children who have strong language skills—whether through sign language, spoken language, or a combination—tend to perform better in mathematics overall. This makes sense: explaining what a "half" means or solving a word problem both require solid language foundations.
Beyond language, several other factors influence how well deaf and hard-of-hearing children learn math: their educational setting, how they communicate (sign language, hearing aids, cochlear implants, or mixed approaches), when they acquired language, and their specific hearing characteristics. This variability means there's no one-size-fits-all approach—each child's needs are unique.
What This Means for Singapore and Asian Families
In Singapore and across Asia, where academic achievement is highly valued and math proficiency is considered fundamental, these findings are particularly relevant. The good news is that research shows mathematical difficulties in deaf and hard-of-hearing children are not about cognitive ability—they're about access to language and appropriate teaching methods.
For Singapore parents, this suggests several implications: first, early language development (in whatever form works best for your child) should be a priority, as it directly supports mathematical learning later on. Second, work with schools to ensure your child has access to appropriately adapted teaching—this might mean visual demonstrations, clear written instructions, or sign language interpretation. Third, don't assume your child will struggle with all math; many procedural and practical math tasks may come naturally once language foundations are solid.
Three Practical Steps for Parents
- Prioritise early language access. Whether through sign language classes, hearing aids, cochlear implants, or speech therapy, ensure your child develops strong language skills as early as possible. Strong language is the foundation for mathematical reasoning and problem-solving.
- Advocate for visual and practical math teaching. Ask your child's school to emphasize concrete, visual approaches to math—using manipulatives, diagrams, and real-world examples rather than relying heavily on word problems. These approaches often play to deaf and hard-of-hearing children's strengths.
- Get support early if needed. If you notice your child struggling with math (especially word problems or reasoning tasks) in preschool or early primary years, seek assessment and intervention promptly. Early support can prevent gaps from widening and builds confidence in mathematical learning.