Deafness and Hearing Loss Blog

Name

Institution

Deafness and Hearing Loss

(a) What are the different types of hearing loss?

Hearing loss/deafness is a common disability that affects the ability for a child to develop communication skills. There are different types of hearing loss. The four main types are conductive hearing loss, central hearing loss, mixed hearing loss and Sensorineural hearing losses. Conductive hearing loss occurs as a result of obstructions or diseases that affect the middle or outer parts of the ear. Central hearing loss occurs as a result of impairment or damage to the nuclei or the nerves of the central nervous system. Sensorineural hearing losses occur when nerves or sensory hair cells on the pathway towards the inner year are damaged. Mixed hearing loss occurs when there is a combination of sensorineural hearing losses and conductive hearing loss (Center for Information and Resources, 2014).

(b) What are the educational implications for children who are deaf or have a hearing loss?

Although hearing loss affects the ability of an individual to communicate like typical individuals, it does not affect intellectual ability. However, individuals with this kind of disability require special education services and equipments in order to learn effectively. Firstly, they require assistive technologies, such as amplification systems and captioned videos and films. Secondly, they require a specialist to provide them with auditory, language and regular speech training (Center for Information and Resources, 2014). Further, children with hearing loss require a specialist who understands sign language to interpret information given out by tutors in class. In some cases, a note-taker may be required, who gathers information about educational development and ability of children with hearing loss to follow instructions (Center for Information and Resources, 2014). Tutors and peers can also be taught how to communicate to children with hearing loss using sign language and how to interact with them. In order to enhance effective learning of children with hearing loss, parents, specialists and teachers should work together in developing individualized education program (Center for Information and Resources, 2014).

(c) Identify at least three (3) print or web-based resources for parents who have children who are deaf or who have a hearing loss.

Resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2014). Hearing Loss in Children. Retrieved from HYPERLINK “http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/hearingloss/treatment.html” http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/hearingloss/treatment.html

Center for Information and Resources (2014). Deafness and Hearing Loss. Retrieved from

HYPERLINK “http://www.parentcenterhub.org/repository/hearingloss/” http://www.parentcenterhub.org/repository/hearingloss/

Lasak, J. M., Allen, P. McVay, T. Lewis, D. (2014). Hearing loss: diagnosis and management.

Primary care, 41 (1), 19–31

Smith, D. D., & Tyler, N. C. (2010). Introduction to Special Education. Columbus: Merrill.