Chapter ElevenIndividuals With Individuals With

Hearing ImpairmentsHearing Impairments

Definitions and Concepts in the Field of Hearing ImpairmentHearing impairment

Disordered hearingHearing sensitivity loss

Described in range from mild to profoundDeaf/deafness

Nonfunctional hearing; federal definition refers to the educational impact due to the hearing loss

Hard of hearingResidual hearing ability

Minimal hearing lossDifficultly hearing at a distance or with

background noise

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The Anatomy of the Auditory SystemThe ear is divided into four connected

sections: outer earmiddle earinner earcentral auditory nervous system

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Classifications of Hearing LossConductive hearing loss

Sound transmission is blocked in the middle or outer ear

Sensorineural hearing lossInvolves the inner ear (cochlea) and/or the

auditory nerveMixed hearing loss

Combination of conductive/sensorineural loss

Central hearing lossDysfunction in the central nervous system

Auditory neuropathy/auditory dys-synchronyAbsence of neural functioning

Functional or nonorganic hearing lossReported hearing loss that is not

substantiated by testing5

Measurement of Hearing Impairments

Audiogram Frequency Hertz (Hz) Decibels (dB) Pure-tone audiometry Air-conduction audiometry Bone-conduction audiometry

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Other Types of Hearing Assessment Play audiometry Speech audiometry Speech recognition threshold (SRT) Auditory evoked potentials Evoked otoacoustic emissions Acoustic imittance

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Age of Onset

Prelingual: present at birth or before speech onset

Postlingual: deficit acquired after speech onset

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Brief History of the Field1817: First school for students with hearing

impairments (American Asylum for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb)

1864: First college for the hearing impaired (today named Gallaudet University after Thomas Gallaudet)

Communication methods: Manual communication- sign

language/finger spelling Oral communication- encouraged use of

residual hearing and speech reading Total communication- combination of

spoken and manual communication

This video contains 1928 footage of Anne Sullivan and Helen Keller

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Prevalence of Hearing Impairment

Almost 71,000 students ages 6-21 were identified as having a hearing impairment and receiving a special education during the 2008-2009 school year.

Approximately 8,400 preschoolers were receiving a special education due to a hearing impairment.

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Etiology of Hearing ImpairmentsGenetic/Hereditary factors

Down syndromeUsher syndromeWaardenburg syndrome

InfectionsCytomegalovirus (CMV), rubella, otitis

mediaDevelopmental abnormalities

AtresiaEnvironmental/traumatic factors

Loud noise, low birth weight, prescription medication, head injuries

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Disorders Associated with Hearing Loss in Children

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Characteristics of Individualswith Hearing Impairments Intellectual development for people with

a hearing impairment is more a function of language development than cognitive ability

Speech and language is the area of development most affected

Social development depends on the use of communication skills

Educational achievement typically 3-4 years below grade level

Watch this video to experience simulated hearing loss.

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Assessment of Individualswith Hearing Impairments

Cognitive assessment requires the use of non-verbal assessment measures

Speech assessmentArticulation, pitch, loudness, quality, rate

Personal/social/behavioral assessmentSocial adjustment, self-image, emotional

adjustment

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Instructional Interventions

Methods of communicationSign languageOralCued speechTotal communicationFingerspelling

AudiologistInterpreter

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Services for Young Children with Hearing Impairments Importance of early identification Early intervention services Family support

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Transition and Individuals with Hearing ImpairmentsTransition planning includes:

Family supportHigher educationEmploymentPersonal, social, community

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Services for Adults with Hearing ImpairmentsState Commission or Office on Deafness

Advocacy, information sharing, agency referrals, interpreting services, employment assistance

State vocational rehabilitation servicesEmployment services

National Association for the DeafPolitical advocacy, information sharing

Self-Help for Hard of Hearing People (SHHH)Advocacy, information, assistance

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Family Issues Most children with hearing impairments

have hearing parents Acceptance of the disability Family relationships

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Issues of Diversity 47% of all students in programs for the deaf and

hearing impaired are from culturally diverse groups Research is needed to address the needs of students

with hearing impairments who come from non-English speaking families

People who identify with the Deaf culture are proud of their heritage including their language, history, values, and literatureo The term Deaf (with a capital D) refers to

individuals who identify with the Deaf cultureo The term deaf (lowercase d) refers to the physical

conditiono Deaf culture considers American Sign Language

(ASL) to be the natural language of the Deaf culture and urges recognition of ASL as the primary language choice with English considered a second language 26

Technology and Individuals with Hearing Impairments Hearing aids Auditory training devices Computers Alerting devices Captioning Telecommunication devices Cochlear implants

Watch this video to learn about Cochlear Implants

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Trends, Issues, and Controversies

Appropriate educational methods Move from child-centered to family-

centered approach Early intervention programs Interpreter services Deaf culture

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