The Light Center, College of the Redwoods

The bad news is that each and everyone of us loses some hearing acuity with age. One of the difficulties surrounding learning about hearing loss is that it is categorized in a couple of different ways. First, the degree of hearing loss must be determined. This is categorized in terms of mild, moderate, severe, and profound. The mild hearing loss does not create significant problems for most people. Only when a room is very noisy does a mild loss affect one’s ability to function. A moderate or severe loss creates considerable greater difficulty, and often results in the use of an amplification device such as a hearing aid. A profound loss usually refers to hearing that is not functional, requiring the individual to use amplification and/or alternate communication systems such as signing.

A hearing loss is also categorized based on "where" in the ear the problem exists. A Conductive Hearing Loss refers to a loss due to problems in the outer or middle ear. This could include:

• Lack of an opening into the ear canal
• Middle ear infection
• Otosclerosis (the bones of the middle ear get stiff and don’t readily move)
• Something stuck in the ear canal

A Conductive hearing loss can usually be corrected through surgery. For example, if there is chronic middle ear infection, this can be alleviated by inserting myringotomy tubes into the ear drum, allowing the infection to drain out or dry up. If the bones of the middle ear are not functioning adequately, they can be replaced or repaired.

A more serious loss is called a Sensorineural Hearing Loss. This is one which involves the inner ear. This can be due to a variety of things including exposure to repeated noise, meningitis, maternal rubella, birth injury, and genetics. A sensorineural loss is not usually curable, however cochlear implants are now changing that to some degree. In most cases, the individual with a sensorineural loss requires the use of an amplification device. "Presbycusis" is a sensorineural loss which occurs with age, and is generally progressive. There is also Meniere’s Disease. Meniere’s Disease is a condition which causes tinitus or ringing in the ears as well as significant vertigo. It is not unheard of to be virtually incapacitated by Meniere’s Disease.

The last type of hearing loss is referred to as a Central Loss, or retrochoclear loss. This means that while the ear may be working just fine, the brain is not receiving the message due to either nerve damage or damage at the brain level. At this time, there is no cure for such a loss.

Comments? mailto:trish-blair@redwoods.edu

November 29, 1999

If you have a student in your classroom who has a hearing loss, there are some things that you can do to help that student be successful. Actually, the tips are good for any students.

• Have the student sit at the front of the room where he/she can see your face.

• Make a point of talking to the class, not the board or overhead. The more facial and gestural cues the students can get, the better their reception of the information.

• Try to reduce the amount of competing noise in the classroom. Be alert to the fact that a fan, air purifier, overhead projector fan, etc., all create competing noise that will make it harder for the student to hear you.

• If you are using "jargon" which is specific to your subject area, and not a word typically used in conversation, write it on the board so the student has a visual cue.

• Be open to the possibility of using a wireless amplification system. Many educators are reluctant to wearing a microphone on their jacket or shirt, but it can mean the difference between student success and failure.

• Suggest to the student that he/she select a "buddy" in the class to assist in getting notes, clarification, etc..

1. Out of clutter, find simplicity.
2. From discord, find harmony.
3. In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.

Albert Einstein