PRESENTATION

Deaf &Hearing

Losscreated by FTTA

DisclaimerPlease note that FTTA presenters, lectures and staff are

not medical professionals. This information is designed to

be used for education assistants under the supervision of

professionals and some parts may be incorrect, outdated

or the authors’ opinion.

Hearing loss can be located in the

external, middle or inner ear, or a

mixture.

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Damage to any part the inner, middle or external ear can cause a hearing loss.

Hearing Loss & Deafness

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How does the ear work?

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Image: Australian Hearing

What is Hearing Loss?

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Three different types

Conductive

Sensorineural (SNHL)

Progressive or Acquired

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Conductive Hearing Loss Causes

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Wax in external ear

Fluid in middle ear

Improper development of

inner or outer ear

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Tear (perforation) or hole in

ear drum

Damage to small bones in middle

ear

Blockage in Eustachian tube

so air cannot move into the

middle ear

Possible too much fluid

Repeated infections may cause

permanent damage

Glue ear

Sound is quiet Loss of volume No distortion

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Conductive Hearing Loss

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Three bones cannot vibrate properly

SensorineuralHearing Loss Causes

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Certain pre-natal infections

Genetic factors

rubella

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Premature birth

Use of some certain drugs

Lack of oxygen during birth

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Sensorineural Hearing Loss

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Also called

Nerve

Deafness

Problems with

cochlear or

nerve which

carries sound to

brain

Volume and

clarity

affected

Loss ranges

from mild to

profound

Sound heard

may be

distorted

Inner ear or

auditory nerve

Progressive or Acquired Loss Causes

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Age

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Progression of a syndrome which

affects hearing

Acquired source

Mixed Hearing Loss

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Combination of both

sensorineural and

conductive loss

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Hearing loss in one ear only

Difficulties locating source of the sound

Unilateral Hearing Loss

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Difficulties hearing with background noise

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Newborn Hearing Screening Program

Child Health Nurse

When is hearing tested? ///

When suspected

Doctor referral

Audiologist

Speak and language development seems delayed

Not begin talking around milestone age

Does not use many ‘words’

Not respond to environment sounds

Babbly starts normally, then stops

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Signs of hearing loss – baby/toddler

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Sentence structure development is not progressingCannot locate source of sound

Often make speech errors

Background noise makes it difficult to hear

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Signs of hearing loss –child

///Misunderstood what is said

Did not hear from a distance, or inconsistently

Turns up radio / tv

Need instructions repeated

Speak too loudly or softly

Tend to become withdrawn or quiet in group situations

Falling behind in school

Cannot tell difference between one sound from another

Appear inattentive or naughty

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Hearing Loss STATS

1 in 6 Australians are affected by hearing

loss

Approx. 30,000 Deaf Auslan users with total hearing loss

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Duty ofCare

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Lower self-

esteem

More time spent focusing on

concentrating for

understanding - exhausting

Not hearing the siren to

come back into class

May switch off

hearing aid to give

themselves a break

Extra Duty of care required

Ensure peers understand

inclusive and sociable

behaviours towards student

– Increased risk factors of

bullying, teasing

Work avoidance when

tired or if room too noisy

Visual warning system – not just sirens

or whistles

What treatment is available?

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Hearing Aids

1

Auslan Sign language

2

3

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Cochlea Implants

Verbal communicationstrategies

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Mouth and hands away from

face2Assist with understanding context

such as emotions or important

points

3Avoid bright lights or windows

behind speaker4

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Minimise walking around

5Check for understanding, repeat

phrases6One speaker at a time

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Talk directly to person who is

deaf, not the interpreter1

When gaining attention be

careful not to frighten them

Environment strategies///

Reduce background noise and

reverberation – i.e. carpet, rugs

Avoid noisy environments

i.e. main roads, PE area

1

Seat so child can see faces

2

Seating

lateral hearing loss - certain

side

preference to sit up front

3

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Use handouts! Summarise the

main points in written format

Pace of communicationstrategies

///Don’t forget to engage the student

in conversation and questions2

Slow the pace

3

Check for clarification to avoid

misinterpretation4

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Lip reading / watching an

interpreter is exhausting –

alternate activities

1

Electronic media is an excellent

communication tool

Working with an Interpreter///

Prior to session give Interpreter:

Handout of outline for training

session / activity

Glossary of technical terms,

special vocabulary etc.

Access to training materials,

visual materials etc.

Time to discuss queries

Personal space and positioning

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Interpreting is tiring and

intensive!

Sufficient breaks

Pace – slow down your speech

so the interpreter can keep pace

Assessment strategies///

Extra time

1

Identify alternative formats, such

as

oral tests

2

Free of distractions

3

Content focus

4

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Want to know more?

http://www.deafchildrenaustralia.org.au/sites/deafchildrenaustralia.org.au/files/Types%20of%20Hearing%20Loss%202012.pdf www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles/pages/

www.ndcs.org.uk

http://www.wadeaf.org.au/ Also holds Auslan classes

http://www.hearing.com.au/share/