HEARING

 Hearing — or auditory processing — refers to the awareness of sounds and placing meaning to those
sounds. It involves a complex series of steps in which several parts of your ear and auditory nervous system
work together harmoniously.
 Accordingly, the normal range of hearing should be -10 dB and should not exceed 10 db. This is being
measured through an EXAIR sound level meter or in layman’s term the Sound Meter Decibel.

HEARING IMPAIRMENT/ DISABILITY

 According to the Individuals with Disabilities Education (IDEA), hearing impairment is defined as
an “impairment in hearing, whether permanent or fluctuating that adversely affects a child’s
educational performance.”
 Hearing impairment happens when something affects your hearing system. The presence of
hearing impairment may lead you to have trouble understanding, following or participating in
conversations. It may be hard for you to hear telephone conversations, to take part in online
meetings or follow dialogue when you’re watching television.
 Hearing impairment can affect your ability to work, communicate with others and generally enjoy
life. Most often, hearing impairment can’t be reversed. But audiologists— healthcare providers
who specialize in diagnosing and treating hearing loss — can help. They can recommend
treatments like hearing aids or cochlear implants that reduce hearing loss.

TYPES OF HEARING IMPAIRMENT

A. CONDUCTIVE HEARING LOSS
a. This refers to a decrease in sound caused by a problem in the outer or middle ear. This interferes with the
transmission of sound through the outer and middle ear to the inner ear, resulting in reduced loudness of the
sound (quantity of sound).
b. During these periods of reduced hearing the student may miss out on learning, negatively affecting all aspects
of development (Pagliano, 2005). In many cases, a conductive hearing impairment can be corrected with
medication, hearing aids or surgery.

B. SENSORINEURAL HEARING LOSS

a. This refers to a problem located in the inner ear or along the nerve pathway between the inner ear and the
brain. A student with sensorineural hearing loss may perceive distorted speech sounds, resulting in difficulty
with understanding speech and interpreting various sounds (quantity and quality of sound).
b. This type of hearing impairment is usually permanent and irreversible. Sensorineural hearing impairments
are frequently not medically or surgically treatable.
c. However, most people with a sensorineural loss find wearing hearing aids and using sound amplification
technology to be of significant benefit (Dugan, 2003).

C. MIXED HEARING LOSS

a. This refers to a conductive loss and sensorineural loss occurring at the same time. Indicating that there may be
damage in the outer or middle ear and the cochlea or auditory nerve.
b. Treatment depends on the severity of the conductive (i.e., hearing aid, medical or surgical intervention) and
sensorineural (i.e., hearing aid) portions of the hearing impairment (Dugan, 2003).

CAUSES OF HEARING PROBLEMS, LOSSES AND IMPAIRMENTS

Aging Disease Sound Exposure
Ear Trauma Medications Earwax

Audiologist
The primary health-care
professionals who evaluate,
diagnose, treat, and manage
hearing loss and balance
disorders in individuals of all
ages from infants and teens to
adults and the elderly.
HEARING CARE SPECIALISTS
Otolaryngologist Otologist
a healthcare specialist who Doctors who specializes in diseases o
treats conditions affecting your f the ear.
ears, nose and throat. They can
also perform head and neck
surgeries, including surgeries
on your ears, mouth, throat,
nose, neck and face.

OTHER EAR CONDITIONS

• Ear infections, including those in your outer, middle or inner ear.
• Tinnitus, or ringing in your ears.
• Dizziness, a feeling of unbalance which often results from inner ear disorders.
• Vertigo. Different from dizziness, vertigo is when you have a sensation that your surroundings are
spinning.
• Ruptured eardrum, or a hole in your tympanic membrane.
• Eustachian tube dysfunction, when the tubes that connect your middle ears to your upper throat
become blocked.
• Otosclerosis, or abnormal bone growth in your middle ear.
• Meniere's disease, a rare inner ear disorder that affects your hearing and sense of balance.

CHARACTERISTICS OF PERSON’S WITH HEARING PROBLEMS

1. Turning head to position ear in the direction of the speaker.
2. Using a loud voice when speaking
3. Not responding when addressed
4. Seemingly distracted and/or confused
5. Appearing to be inattentive, restless tired or daydreaming
6. Distracted easily by visual or auditory stimuli
7. Lack of, or delayed development of speech and language
8. Intently watching faces during conversation
9. Not startled by loud noises
10. Sitting close to the sound source.

EDUCATIONAL ADAPTATION OF PERSONS WITH HEARING IMPAIRMENT OR

DISABILITY
A. Visual Learnings
 Hearing-impaired individuals often rely more on visual stimuli. They may benefit form
visual aids, gestures, and demonstrations to grasp information.

B. Reading Skills
 Strong emphasis on developing reading skills as written communication becomes crucial
for learning. Captions, subtitles, and written materials can enhance comprehension.

C. Adaptability
  Hearing-impaired individuals may develop strong adaptability skills, as they often need to
find alternative ways to understand information, such as though lip-reading or sign
language.

D. Social Interaction
 Hearing-impaired individuals may face challenges in social interaction. Encouraging
inclusive environments and teaching peers about communication methods can facilitate
positive social experiences.

E. Technology Integration
 Incorporating technology, such as hearing aids or cochlear implants, into the learning
environment can significantly enhance communication and understanding.

F. Individualized Learning Plans

 Recognizing and accommodating individual learning needs is vital. Tailoring instructions to
address specific challenges and strengths can optimize the learning experience.

G. Support Systems
 Providing a supportive learning environment with access to resources like sign language
interpreters, note-takers or FM systems can contribute to the success of hearing-impaired
learners.

H. Sign Language and Interpreters

 Providing sign language interpreters for lectures and discussions.
 Teaching sign language as part of the curriculum to promote communication.

I. Flexible Teaching Methods

 Incorporating a variety of teaching methods, including hands-on activities and visual
demonstrations. Also, providing written options in addition to oral assessments.

J. Seating Arrangements
 Arranging seating to optimize visual cues, ensuring the student can see the teacher and any
visual aids clearly.

K. Peer Support and Awareness Programs

 Implementing peer support programs to encourage inclusive social interaction as well as
conducting awareness programs to educate classmates and teachers about hearing
impairments and effective communication strategies.

L. Collaboration With Support Services

 Collaborating with specialists such as speech-language pathologists and audiologists to
address individual needs as well as involving support services like note-takers or
interpreters for comprehensive educational support.