A definition of hearing impairment may mention that hearing loss is conductive, sensorineural, or mixed. Conductive hearing loss is a hearing impairment due to something blocking the passage of sound from the outer ear to the inner ear. Sensorineural hearing loss is caused by damage to the cochlea or auditory nerve which prevents the inner ear from delivering hearing perception messages to the brain.

Conductive hearing loss is often temporary or can be medically treated. Sensorineural hearing loss is considered permanent. Treatment of sensorineural hearing loss typically involves the use of a hearing aid or hearing aids.

Hearing loss ranges from a slight decrease in the ability to hear to total deafness. Some definitions of hearing impairment include the fact that hearing loss can occur at any age. Hearing impairments can be present at birth or develop at any time during the individual’s lifetime. A definition of hearing loss may include the fact that hearing loss may start suddenly or develop gradually.

Definitions of hearing loss rarely mention any specific causes of hearing loss though a definition may include the fact that there are numerous possible causes. A definition of hearing impairment may not include signs or symptoms of hearing loss. Some detailed definitions of hearing loss may mention the possibility of the presence of tinnitus. Tinnitus is a ringing in the ears or another sound that is not in the individual’s environment.

If a definition is specifically focused on hearing loss in children, the definition may mention that hearing loss in children may negatively impact speech development. Another basic fact about hearing loss in children that may be included in a definition is that the most common cause of hearing loss in children is ear infections.

Information on hearing tests and treatments are rarely included in definitions of hearing impairment. General information about hearing tests and treatment can be found in many articles on hearing loss.

The severity of the hearing loss is measured using hearing tests. The results of a hearing test should indicate the frequencies and lowest volume that the person can hear. Normal hearing is described by a hearing threshold of -10 to 15 decibels. A slight hearing loss is described as 16 to 25 decibels. A person who can only hear sounds that are 26 to 40 decibels and above is considered to have mild hearing loss.

The person’s hearing loss is described as moderate hearing loss if the lowest sound they can hear is 41 to 55 decibels. If the lowest sound that can be heard is 56 to 70 decibels, the hearing loss is called moderately severe. Severe hearing loss describes a person’s hearing loss when the lowest sound they can hear is 71 to 90 decibels. If the lowest sound the person can hear is above 90 decibels, the hearing loss is described as profound.

A characteristic of hearing impairments is that the hearing impairment may only affect the hearing of certain frequencies of sound. A hearing test may identify an inability to hear certain frequencies. An inability to hear high frequencies may be described as high-frequency hearing loss.

The onset of the hearing loss is one of the characteristics of hearing impairment. The hearing loss may have started gradually or may have occurred suddenly. A hearing loss that occurred unexpectedly and suddenly may be referred to as sudden hearing loss. The hearing impairment may affect one ear or both ears. If it affects one ear, it is called unilateral hearing loss. Bilateral hearing loss is a hearing impairment of both ears.

Hearing loss can be described as conductive, sensorineural, or mixed. Conductive hearing impairment is caused by a blockage of sound from the outer ear to the inner ear. Sensorineural hearing loss is characterized by the impaired ability of the cochlea or auditory nerve to send the sound messages to the brain. Mixed hearing impairment is the presence of both conductive hearing loss and sensorineural hearing loss.

Sometimes, hearing loss is described by what caused the hearing loss. For example, occupational hearing loss is hearing loss caused by working around loud noise. If the cause is unknown, the hearing loss may be called idiopathic hearing loss.

There are two main types of hearing loss. Conductive hearing loss is caused by something stopping the transmission of sound from the outer ear to the inner ear. Sensorineural hearing loss is caused by an inability of the inner ear or auditory nerve to transmit hearing information to the brain for processing. If a person has both conductive hearing loss and sensorineural hearing loss, the condition is called mixed hearing loss.

Hearing loss can occur in one ear or both ears. Hearing loss in one ear is called unilateral hearing loss. Hearing impairment of both ears is called bilateral hearing loss. Hearing loss can start suddenly or develop gradually. Some people who develop hearing loss have periods of normal hearing between periods of hearing loss or deafness when the hearing loss develops.

Slight hearing loss after the age of twenty is common. About one-third of Americans over the age of sixty have hearing loss. About half of the Americans over seventy-five have hearing loss. Age-related hearing loss is called presbycusis. Lifetime noise exposure and tobacco use are risk factors for presbycusis.

Hearing loss has many different causes. Common causes of hearing impairment are injury, head trauma, illness, noise exposure, infection, and noncancerous tumors. Some medications can cause hearing loss. Working around loud noise can cause occupational hearing loss.

The most common cause of hearing loss in children is ear infections. Exposure to some diseases which are considered childhood diseases, such as measles, mumps, and scarlet fever, can cause hearing loss. Vaccinations for these illnesses can prevent this type of hearing loss by preventing these illnesses.

Loud noises can cause hearing loss or deafness. If a person experiences hearing loss due to a loud noise such as fireworks or an explosion, the deafness or hearing loss is said to be caused by auditory trauma.
A loud noise can cause deafness by rupturing the eardrum. In most cases, the perforated eardrum will heal on its own. Sometimes, surgery is recommended to repair the damage.

Some basic techniques for teaching hearing impaired students is common sense. For example, it is common courtesy to get the attention of the hearing impaired student before speaking. Also, the teacher should face the student while speaking since movement of the mouth, facial expressions, and nonverbal gesturing are often part of comprehension of speech for the hearing impaired. Visual aids for lessons are recommended when appropriate. Educational videos used in the classroom should be closed captioned.

Talking while writing on the blackboard can greatly decrease the hearing impaired student’s ability to understand what is said. If the child lip-reads, the teacher should avoid shouting or using exaggerated lip movements. Teachers with moustaches should keep their moustaches well trimmed.

Writing important information or instructions on the board or in a handout can be beneficial for the hearing impaired students. Consider the child’s seating in the classroom to optimize hearing. The teacher should have a plan of action for emergencies or emergency drills, such as a fire drill, for the hearing impaired student.

If an interpreter is used, the teacher needs to remember that the interpreter is not used to teach the student but rather to facilitate the interactions between the hearing impaired student and teacher. Therefore, if a student asks a question, the interpreter should be relaying the question to the instructor as well as signing the teacher’s answer to the student even if the interpreter knows the answer to the question.

When teaching children with hearing aids, it is important to remember that the hearing aids amplify all sound. The hearing aid does not distinguish directions or a lesson from background noise in the classroom. Therefore, it is crucial for the teacher to minimize background noise as much as possible.

Congenital hearing impairment is often caused by hereditary, drug exposure, prenatal infections, or erythroblastosis fetalis. Erythroblastosis fetalis is a life-threatening condition that is caused by the mother and fetus having different blood types. Numerous inherited conditions can cause hearing loss or deafness.

Deafness in infants is often suspected when the infant fails to respond to noise or any sound. Slight to moderate hearing loss may go undetected until the child has a delay in speech development or hearing loss is found during a routine hearing test. If hearing loss is suspected, the physician will test the infant or child’s hearing to determine the degree of hearing loss.

Early detection is beneficial in providing the best care and lessen the impact of the hearing loss on the development of verbal communication skills. When devising a treatment plan for the hearing impairment, several factors are considered. The cause of the hearing loss may help determine the best course of treatment.

Together with the parents, the physician may develop a treatment plan to either help the child cope with deafness or provide the best chances for improving hearing loss. Some types of hearing loss improve drastically with the removal of any blockages or surgical intervention. If the hearing loss is due to a bacterial infection, the hearing loss may improve or completely disappear upon treatment with antibiotics. Ear tubes may be surgically inserted to drain fluid from the ears and help stop recurrent ear infections that are causing hearing impairment.

Hearing aids or cochlear implants may be a desirable option for the treatment of permanent hearing loss or deafness. Cochlear implants are electronic devices that improve hearing. Parents may want to research treatment options before conceding to any the treatment. In many cases, the physician may provide the parents with resources or information that can be beneficial to determining the best treatment for the hearing impairment. The Internet also has a wealth of information about treating hearing impairment in children.

Young children with a hearing impairment may not respond or react to voices or loud noises. Most infants have a startle reflex associated with a loud noise. Absence of this startle reflex may indicate a problem with hearing. Infants with normal hearing often babble or repeatedly make sounds such as da-da-da.

An infant that is six months old that has not babbled should be checked by a physician for a potential hearing loss. Of course, all infants develop at their own pace, so the failure to follow general guidelines is not prove there is a problem. An infant’s hearing should still be checked since early detection and treatment is beneficial.

If a hearing loss is detected, the parents may consider appropriate treatment options as discussed by the physician. If the hearing loss is caused by infection and the infection fails to clear with the use of antibiotics or is recurrent, the doctor may recommend ear tubes. Ear tubes are surgically implanted to help fluid drain from the ear and can help prevent infection.

For hearing loss that is considered permanent, parents may consider treatment options that serve to improve hearing such as hearing aids, cochlear implants, or other hearing devices. Parents may be encouraged to learn and use sign language. Supportive services are often available to help the child’s communication development whether the language development is verbal, sign language, or both.

Parents may need to advocate for their child to ensure that the child receives the necessary services. Parents need to educate themselves on available treatment and education options. Support groups are often available and can provide a wealth of information and emotional support.

Parents need to recognize their child’s need for social interaction. Sometimes, children with hearing impairments feel isolated. Parents can help combat this by providing the child with social opportunities beyond their schooling. Boys and girls clubs, lessons, sports, or other group activities can provide enriching social experiences for the hearing impaired child.