Definition
A hearing impairment is a hearing loss that prevents a person from receiving sounds. "If the loss is mild, the person has difficulty hearing faint or distant speech. A person with this degree of hearing impairment may use a hearing aid to amplify sounds. If the hearing loss is severe, the person may not be able to distinguish sounds.
Characteristics
There are four types of hearing loss:
Information from Kentucky's Office for the Americans with Disabilities Act
- Conductive: Caused by diseases or obstructions in the outer or middle ear that affects all hearing. A hearing aid can help a person with a conductive hearing loss.
- Sensorineural: Results from damage to the inner ear. This loss can be mild to profound and usually affects some frequencies more than others. Sounds are usually distorted even with a hearing aid.
- Mixed: Hearing impairment occurs both in the inner and outer ear.
- Central: Occurs from damage to the central nervous system.
Information from Kentucky's Office for the Americans with Disabilities Act
Accommodations
Accommodations for students with hearing impairments include, but are not limited to:
- Maintain eye contact when you are communicating (these students need to be able to see your lips move)
- Use a sign language interpreter, but look at the student who is deaf
- Speak slowly and clearly, but do not exaggerate
- Use demonstrations and visuals whenever possible
- Personal hearing device
- Noise reduction if possible
- Captioning or scripts for announcements
- Allow extra time for assignments and assessments
Modifications
Modifications for students with hearing impairments include, but are not limited to:
- Modify reading assignments (shorter length with sign language interpreter)
- Modify mathematics assignments (shorter length word problems with sign language interpreter)
- Provide supplemental instruction with a speech-language pathologist
- Use alternative tests with color-printed visuals
- Provide supplemental materials and supports to reinforce concepts
Resources
- Accommodations for Students with Hearing Loss
This resource provides teachers with an extensive list of accommodations and modifications for students with hearing impairments.
- Kentucky's Office for the Americans with Disabilities Act
A brief, concise resource for teachers to use to identify the definition of hearing impairment and appropriate accommodations teachers can use for students with this disability.
- Video Series: Learn About Hearing Loss
A website that includes videos, basic facts, and living recommendations for people with hearing impairments.
- Parent's Guide to Hearing Loss
This website is a parent's guide to better understanding their child's hearing impairment. It includes screening and diagnosis information, free materials, and scientific articles.
- Deafness and Hearing Loss
An additional resource for parents to better understand their child or spouse's hearing loss. This website includes case studies and scientific information about treatment and assistive technology.