Vision and Hearing Disabilities

I.D.E.A. Definition of Visual Impairments An impairment in vision that, even with correction, adversely affects a child’s educational performance. The term includes both partial sight and blindness.

Signs a Student might have a Visual Impairment Avoid reading or writing tasks Reading issues such as loss of place, omitting or inserting words or letters Appears disoriented, trips or bumps into objects Adjusts one’s body or reading material in order to read Squinting or closing one eye to see an object Less likely to participate in school activities

Types of Visual Impairment Low vision – students use their vision as their primary sensory channel Functionally blind – students can use limited vision for functional tasks but need their tactile and auditory channels for learning Totally blind – students use tactile and auditory channels for learning and functional tasks Information from:

Ways to Differentiate the Instruction of Students with Visual Impairment As a group of teachers and aides discuss ways to differentiate the instruction for a student with a Visual Impairment.

I.D.E.A. Definition of Hearing Impairment Hearing impairment is defined as “an impairment in hearing, whether permanent or fluctuating, that adversely affects a child’s educational performance.” Deafness is defined as “a hearing impairment that is so severe that the child is impaired in processing linguistic information through hearing, with or without amplification.”

Signs a Student might have a Hearing Impairment Does not respond consistently to sounds or to his or her own name; Asks for things to be repeated or often says “huh?” Is delayed in developing speech or has unclear speech Turns the volume up loud on the TV and other electronic devices.

Types of Hearing Impairment Conductive Hearing Loss is caused by damage or obstruction in the external or middle ear that disrupts the efficient passage or conduction of sound through those chambers. Most conductive losses can be treated medically; however, repeated conductive losses can affect children's language development. Mixed Hearing Loss is a combination of both a conductive and a sensorineural hearing loss. Information from:

Types of Hearing Impairment Central Hearing Disorders are the results of a disorder or dysfunction in the central auditory system between the brain stem and the auditory cortex in the brain. Sensorineural Hearing Loss is caused by damage to the inner ear (cochlea) or auditory nerve that transmits impulses to the brain. Sensorineural hearing loss tends to be more severe, permanent, and usually affects oral language development. Information from:

Ways to Differentiate the Instruction of Students with Hearing Impairment As a group of teachers and aides discuss ways to differentiate the instruction for a student with a Hearing Impairment.