1. Hearing Impairment (H.I.)
Morgan Hartwig and Ally Trudell

2. Hearing Loss Simulation
Sound in quiet environment with normal hearing
Sound in noisy environment with normal hearing
Sound in quiet with moderate to severe hearing loss
Sound in noise with moderate to severe hearing loss
Sound in quiet with profound hearing loss
Sound in quiet with cochlear implant distortion

3. Misconceptions (that we will correct)
When a student has a hearing aid or cochlear implant, they are “fixed” and can hear normally.
Over-enunciating words and speaking loudly makes it easier for students to understand.
Sign language and lip reading work for all adults and children with hearing loss and are the preferred methods for communication.
Hearing loss is genetic and occurs at birth or in old age.

4. Introduction
Hearing impairment occurs when there is an inability for sounds to be transmitted through or interpreted by our brain
Hearing impairment can begin at birth (congenital) or can occur over time (acquired)
Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL): headphones, TVs, video games
Acquired loss can be sudden or progressive
Hearing impairment varies for each person and can differ in severity in each ear
Hearing loss is the most common birth anomaly (3 in 1,000) and occurs in 1 in 10 adults
We can move through Intro and Types of hearing impairment pretty quickly

5. Types of Hearing Impairment
Sound waves travel to the ear and are interpreted by our brain
Conductive hearing loss vs. Sensorineural hearing loss
or mixed hearing loss (both)

6. Conductive Hearing Loss
Conductive hearing loss occurs when there is a problem with the ear canal, ear drum, middle ear, or ossicles
Sounds are heard much lower than
they are heard by others
Can usually be fixed with surgery
Otitis media: ear infection
Ruptured ear drum
Change in air pressure

7. Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Sensorineural hearing loss occurs when there is a problem with the cochlea or auditory nerve
Permanent hearing loss
Hearing aids and cochlear implants
Cochlear implants bypass damage and send signals straight to auditory nerve
Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder
Genetic disorders (50% of hearing loss)
Head injuries
Complications during pregnancy
Severe illness

8. Pre-Lingual vs. Post-Lingual Hearing Loss
Pre-Lingual hearing loss can lead to delays in language, communication, and social skills
Low self-image, emotional and behavioral difficulties
ASL and lip reading
Early intervention!
Post-Lingual hearing loss does not require as much modification

9. Signs of Hearing Loss Does your student…
Ask you to repeat yourself often or get upset at the volume of noises in the classroom?
Develop vocabulary more slowly than their peers?
Have speech that is difficult to understand or that is too loud or too soft?
Often ask for words to be repeated?
Turn on the TV/headphones too loud?
Appear inattentive at school and have trouble learning to read or perform simple mathematics?

10. Modifications Eye contact! Before beginning instruction
Face the student
Speak clearly, but don’t exaggerate
Use body language
Physical contact appropriate when eye contact is not maintained
Establish cue system and routines
Emergency procedures
Parent contact and communication
Student input/feedback regularly

11. Curricular Accommodations
Technology and Visuals
FM systems: transmitter microphone with speakers or receiver
Voice recognition software
Videos with closed captioning
Beware of “visual pollution”
Written questions and content before instruction
Repeat new material, vocab
Sensitivity to other sight, taste, smell, touch
Location of seat; low traffic areas
Background noise

12. Teacher Resources Hearinglosseducation.com Hearingexchange.com
Hearingaidhelp.com
Jimrodslz.com
Kidshealth.org
Marchofdimes.com
CDC.gov
Childrenshospital.org
Ibilitiy,org
Wvu.edu

13. References
American Speech-Language Hearing Association Website.  2011
Hammes DM, Novak MA, Rotz LA, Willis M, Edmondson DM, Thomas JF. Early identification and the cochlear implant: Critical factors for spoken language development. Ann Otol Rhino Laryngol 2002;111:74-78
Montano, J. (2011, April). Living Well With Hearing Loss. In Hearing Health Magazine. Retrieved April, 2011
Strategies for Teaching Students with Hearing Impairments. (2007, May). In WVU Teaching Students with Disabilities . Retrieved April, 2011, from
Mayer, Richard. Learning and Instruction. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Merrill Prentice Hall, 2003

14. Our Cousins Morgan’s Uncle Nathan and cousin Caleb
Ally’s cousin Owen hearing for the first time