2. Hearing loss in children
More than three million children in the United States
have some degree of hearing loss
It is estimated that 1.3 million of these children are
under 3 years of age
Estimates show that approximately half of all cases of
congenital hearing loss are genetic
An additional 30% are believed to be caused by
complications either during pregnancy or immediately
after birth
Hearing loss may also be acquired from ear infections or
illnesses such as meningitis, chicken pox, measles, and
more
3. Some types of hearing loss can be corrected surgically. These are
usually instances where there is a problem with the outer or middle
part of the ear. This type of hearing loss is usually temporary.
Most profound or severe hearing loss is caused by “nerve deafness”
– a problem with the inner ear.
This usually means that the nerve fibers that send sound signals to
the brain have been damaged in some way.
Individuals with this type of hearing loss cannot be treated with
surgery, and must instead rely on an assistive listening device, or
cochlear implants.
4. Hearing Aids
Hearing aids are the most common type of assistive
listening device used by individuals with hearing loss.
A hearing aid is a sound amplification device. Sound
enters through a microphone, is made
louder by an amplification processor,
and then is sent into the ear by a
small receiver.
There are many different types of
hearing aids. Some are small enough
that they fit directly into the ear canal
while others have a large section that f
fits over the outside of the ear.
The more severe the hearing loss, the
larger the hearing aid must be to
sufficiently amplify the sound.
6. Advantages and Disadvantages
Hearing aids are significantly less expensive than a medical
procedure (such as cochlear implants)
The wearer has a lot of control over positioning and volume
level on the device
Benefits individuals with varying types and degrees of
hearing loss
Some types of hearing aids can be large and “bulky”
They do not pick up high-frequency sounds very well
Hearing aids alone do not work well in situations with a
lot of background noise or when trying to listen to
someone who is far away.
7. Frequency Modulated Systems
Frequency Modulated (FM) systems are used in
conjunction with hearing aids to help improve hearing by
removing background noise and increasing the range
from which the child can hear.
A parent or teacher wears a microphone (usually at
chest-level) while the child wears an FM receiver. The
receiver can usually be attached directly to the hearing
aid.
When the parent or teacher
speaks, their voice is
transmitted directly to the
receiver and into the child’s
hearing aid, eliminated any the
distraction of background noise.
9. Advantages and Disadvantages
FM systems are very beneficial, particularly in a classroom setting
They reduce background noise and improve sound volume and quality
Helps the student to focus well and better understand teacher instruction
FM systems can be very expensive, costing any where from $1000 to $4000
for more sophisticated models.
They can only be used with one person at a time– they do not help the child
better understand anyone but the individual using the microphone
Teachers need to be careful about what they say to other teachers or
students while wearing the microphone, as everything they say is
transmitted to the FM receiver
10. Cochlear Implants
Cochlear implants are an expensive and
medically sophisticated option for
individuals with very severe hearing
loss or profound deafness, as hearing
aids are often ineffective in these
individuals.
Cochlear implants are usually more
effective in individuals with acquired
hearing loss, though individuals who
are born deaf have also benefited
from this procedure
Cochlear implants directly stimulate the auditory nerve, acting in
place of damaged hair cells within the cochlea, a spiral-shaped
portion of the inner ear that is responsible for sending sound
signals to the brain.
11. The implant is made up of both external and internal components. A
microphone and speech processor pick up and filter sounds, sending them to
a transmitter that is held in place against the head by a surgically implanted
magnet. A receiver/stimulator inside the bone sends these sound signals to
a series of electrodes which coil around through the cochlea and directly
stimulate the auditory nerve, which sends the sounds to the brain.
12. What hearing with cochlear
implants sounds like
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00WOao4kpwM
13. Advantages and Disadvantages
Individuals with cochlear implants can better understand spoken speech, and often are
able to speak better themselves as a result of this.
People with cochlear implants will be able to hear much better at a distance (though FM
systems may still be necessary to help filter background noise)
Cochlear implants are able to benefit some individuals who have been unsuccessful with
hearing aids
They allow individuals to hear and distinguish higher-frequency sounds than they can with
a hearing aid.
As with all medical procedures, there is a risk for surgery complications.
Cochlear implants are extremely expensive – Usually more than $40,000 for the
procedure alone
There is no personal control over the device – once implanted, it’s there for life.
Sometimes, cochlear implants do not end up functioning correctly and follow-up
surgery is necessary.
Any residual hearing is usually lost during the procedure, meaning when the device is
turned off, the patient is now completely deaf.
14. Who benefits from these listening devices?
The vast majority of individuals who are
deaf or experience hearing loss are able
to benefit from either hearing aids or
cochlear implants. Some benefit from
both, while others only achieve results
from one or another.
FM systems are extremely beneficial to
students who currently use hearing
aids. It allows for better understanding
of their lessons and can help in their
academic success
Not only do these sorts of technologies
benefit the individual with hearing
loss, but those around them benefit as
well. They allow for easier
communication and interaction with
peers, parents, and teachers who do
not experience hearing loss themselves.
