deaf and hard of hearing

Deaf and Hard of Hearing

How does the ear work?

How does the ear work?

How does the ear work?

• Outer ear catches sound waves

How does the ear work?

• Outer ear catches sound waves• Middle ear turns waves into vibrations

How does the ear work?

• Outer ear catches sound waves• Middle ear turns waves into vibrations• Inner ear produces signals which are sent to

the brain

How does the ear work?

• Outer ear catches sound waves• Middle ear turns waves into vibrations• Inner ear produces signals which are sent to

the brain• The brain makes them meaningful

Types of Hearing Loss

Types of Hearing Loss

Conductive Hearing Loss-sound waves cannot travel to the inner ear

Types of Hearing Loss

Conductive Hearing Loss-sound waves cannot travel to the inner ear

Sensorineural Hearing Loss - caused by damage to the inner ear

or auditory nerve

Types of Hearing Loss

Conductive Hearing Loss – OUTERsound waves cannot travel to the inner ear

Sensorineural Hearing Loss – MIDDLE-INNERcaused by damage to the inner ear

or auditory nerve

Degree of Hearing Loss (ASHA)

• Normal range = 0 dB to 20 dB• Mild loss = 20 dB to 40 dB• Moderate loss = 40 dB to 60 dB• Severe loss = 60 dB to 80 dB• Profound loss = 80 dB or more

Definitions

• People who are Deaf / Deaf people– Have little use of hearing– Usually perceive some sound– Can be divided into three groups:

• Congenitally Deaf • Prelingually Deaf • Postlingually Deaf

Definitions

• People who are Deaf / Deaf people– Have little use of hearing– Usually perceive some sound– Can be divided into three groups:

• Congenitally Deaf • Prelingually Deaf • Postlingually Deaf

• People who are hard of hearing:– Experience a loss of hearing between 20 and 60 dB

Identification

• Testing methods include:– Air conduction audiometry– Bone conduction audiometry– Otoacoustic emissions (AOE) can be used for universal

infant screening

Early Identification

• Early identification remains an issue– Average age for identification of mild and moderate loss is

between 5 and 6 years old

– The average age of deaf children’s identification is between 18 months and 2.5 years

– Children identified before six months old have better results than children identified after 18 months

IEP Considerations

For students with hearing loss, IDEA '04 calls for IEP Teams to consider:

IEP Considerations

For students with hearing loss, IDEA '04 calls for IEP Teams to consider: 1. Language and communication needs

IEP Considerations

For students with hearing loss, IDEA '04 calls for IEP Teams to consider: 1. Language and communication needs 2. Opportunities for direct communication

IEP Considerations

For students with hearing loss, IDEA '04 calls for IEP Teams to consider: 1. Language and communication needs 2. Opportunities for direct communication3. The student's academic level

IEP Considerations

For students with hearing loss, IDEA '04 calls for IEP Teams to consider: 1. Language and communication needs 2. Opportunities for direct communication3. The student's academic level 4. The student's full range of needs

Prevalence

• Hearing loss is the number one “birth defect” in the U.S.

• Over 1/2 adults over the age of 65• Almost ¼ of 1% of all schoolchildren• Over 30% have multiple disabilities

Etiology

• Known causes (most unknown)– Maternal rubella– Meningitis– Otitis media– Heredity / genetics (35%)– Noise

Prevention– Noise abatement (say no to The Clash)

– Preventative health care / early diagnosis and intervention

Cochlear implants

– Best if child receives before age 5

– Not everyone is able to use

– Benefits include improvement in speech, language, and reading

Inclusion

• The general education classroom may be the most restrictive

– For many it results in exclusion

– More comprehensive services tend to be centralized

Technology• Four types of hearing aids are available

– Behind the ear (BTE)– In the ear (ITE)– In the canal (ITC)– Completely in the canal (CIC)

• Assistive devices for the Deaf include:– Assistive listening devices

• Hearing aids, digital hearing aids, FM transmission devices, audio loops

– Telecommunication devices• TTYs, closed and open captions, and rear window captioning

– Computer text-to-speech• Real time captions

– Alerting devices• Special devices for alarms doorbells and telephones

Deaf people

People who are deaf