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Types of Hearing Loss
Conductive (kin-duk-tiv)
A CONDUCTIVE hearing loss occurs
when the outer or middle ear components are not functioning properly. When a
conduction loss occurs, sound cannot move (or be conducted) from the
environment to the cochlea, the auditory nerve, and finally, the brain.
Generally, kids who have conductive hearing losses have a mild hearing loss
that is temporary. In most cases, medical treatment can help.
Sensorineural (sen-sur-ee-nur-ul)
A SENSORINEURAL hearing loss
occurs when the inner ear structures are not working right. The inner ear
structure may be damaged physically or chemically. The cochlea may not be
working correctly because the tiny hair cells are damaged or destroyed. Or,
there may be a problem with the connection from the cochlea to the brain.
There is an inability for the nerves to transmit electrochemical signal to the
Auditory Nerve, or the Vestibularcochlear, and ultimately to the brain.
Sensorineural hearing losses are almost always untreatable.
Mixed
A MIXED hearing loss is a
combination of both a conductive and a sensorineural hearing loss in the same
ear.
Central
A CENTRAL hearing loss involves
the interruption of any part of the "neural transmission of sound to the
brain or temporal lobe of the brain" (Klein & Parker, 2002)
Unilateral Hearing Loss
A unilateral
hearing loss affects only one ear; because one ear still has normal hearing, the
child will hear well in most situations. There are times, however, when a child
with a unilateral hearing loss will experience difficulties. They include:
- When sounds are directed towards the child's poorer
ear
- Localizing sounds, determining where the sounds come
from (localization)
- Understanding what is said when there is background
noise; this is especially true when the better ear is positioned towards the
noise.
- Will usually have difficulty
localizing sounds and voices using hearing alone.
Affects of a Unilateral Hearing Loss on School Performance
- Recent studies show that 25-35% of children with a unilateral
hearing loss are at risk for failing a grade in school.
-Children with a unilateral hearing loss are easily
distractible and generally have a limited attention span. Following directions
may be difficult for him or her; they may also show signs of fatigue as the
school day progresses.
-In the classroom, the child's normal hearing ear should face
the teacher or the main source of sound.
-In the classroom, it is important that the teacher limit
background noise, so that the child with the hearing loss can better understand
speech
-Common noise sources in classrooms that create background
noise include: air conditioners, fans, heating units, doors, group work by other
children, computer terminals, and pencil sharpeners. -Hard floors and walls tend to cause an "echo" or reverberation
in the classroom; this reverberation makes noise worse and makes it harder for
the student to hear the speaker or sound source.
- A child with a unilateral hearing loss generally will have
difficulty locating the source of sound; it is important for classroom teachers
to be aware of this in potentially dangerous situations.
Bilateral Hearing Loss
A bilateral hearing loss means that both ears have a hearing loss.
- Hearing loss is one of the most common birth defects; approximately 3 in
1,000 babies are born with a hearing impairment.
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Copyright
© 2005, Danielle Thor. All Rights Reserved.
For problems or questions regarding this web contact
[danielle.thor@marshall.k12.mn.us].
Last updated:
04/03/08.
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