Hearing impairment is defined "an impairment in hearing, whether permanent or fluctuating, that adversely affects a child's educational performance."

Deafness is defined as "a hearing impairment that is so severe that the child is impaired in processing linguistic information through hearing, with or without amplification."

Thus, deafness may be viewed as a condition that prevents an individual from receiving sound in all or most of its forms. In contrast, a child with a hearing loss can generally respond to auditory stimuli, including speech.

Characteristics

It is useful to know that sound is measured by its loudness or intensity (measured in units called decibels, dB) and its frequency or pitch (measured in units called hertz, Hz). Impairments in hearing can occur in either or both areas, and may exist in only one ear or in both ears. Hearing loss is generally described as slight, mild, moderate, severe, or profound, depending upon how well a person can hear the intensities or frequencies most greatly associated with speech. Generally, only children whose hearing loss is greater than 90 decibels (dB) are considered deaf for the purposes of educational placement.

Educational Implications

Hearing loss or deafness does not affect a person's intellectual capacity or ability to learn. However, children who are either hard of hearing or deaf generally require some form of special education services in order to receive an adequate education. Such services may include:

• regular speech, language, and auditory training from a speech therapist;


• amplification systems;


• services of an interpreter for those students who use sign language;


• favorable seating in the class to facilitate lip reading;


• captioned films/videos;


• assistance of a note-taker, who takes notes for the student with a hearing loss, so that the student can fully attend to instruction;


• instruction for the teacher and peers in alternate communication methods, such as sign language; and counseling.


• Some families opt for a cochlea implant when the child is very young.

Parents can help their child by encouraging them to use what hearing they have, also implement a sound recognition programme at home. They can learn finger spelling and sign to avoid bouts of frustration when the child feels they can not communicate properly. Encourage interaction with other children. Seek advice from other parents and support groups.

Find kindergartens/schools you are comfortable with, which teach phonologically (using phonetics).