# data[].attributes.body
A hearing impairment is less than normal hearing (either sensitivity or speech understanding) resulting from auditory disorders.

Source: Textbook, Special Education in Contemporary Society, Chapter 12, pg 368.

# data[].attributes.body
Some characteristics of a hearing impairment may include:

Muffling of speech and other sounds.

Trouble understanding words, especially when in a crowd or a noisy place.

Trouble hearing the letters of the alphabet that aren't vowels.

Often asking others to speak more slowly, clearly and loudly.

Needing to turn up the volume of the television or radio.

Staying clear of some social settings.

Being bothered by background noise.

Ringing in the ears, known as tinnitus.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Overview

Hearing loss that comes on little by little as you age, also known as presbycusis, is common. More than half the people in the United States older than age 75 have some age-related hearing loss.

There are three types of hearing loss:

Conductive, which involves the outer or middle ear.

Sensorineural, which involves the inner ear.

Mixed, which is a mix of the two.

Aging and being around loud noises both can cause hearing loss. Other factors, such as too much earwax, can lower how well ears work for a time.

You usually can't get hearing back. But there are ways to improve what you hear.

Parts of the ear

The ear is made up of three primary parts: the outer ear, middle ear and inner ear. Each section is composed of structures that play distinct roles in the process of converting sound waves into signals that go to the brain.

Outer ear

The outer ear is composed of the visible part of the ear (pinna) and the ear canal. The cup-shaped pinna (PIN-uh) gathers sound waves from the environment and directs them into the ear canal.

Middle ear

The middle ear is an air-filled cavity that holds a chain of three bones: the hammer (malleus), the anvil (incus) and the stirrup (stapes). These bones are separated from the outer ear by the eardrum (tympanic membrane), which vibrates when struck by a sound wave.

The middle ear is connected to the back of your nose and upper part of your throat by a narrow channel called the auditory tube (eustachian tube). The tube opens and closes at the throat end to equalize the pressure in the middle ear with that of the environment and drain fluids. Equal pressure on both sides of the eardrum is important for normal vibration of the eardrum.

Bones of the middle ear

The middle ear contains three tiny bones:

Hammer (malleus) - attached to eardrum

Anvil (incus) - in the middle of the chain of bones

Stirrup (stapes) - attached to the membrane-covered opening that connects the middle ear with the inner ear (oval window)

The vibration of the eardrum triggers a chain of vibrations through the bones. Because of differences in the size, shape and position of the three bones, the force of the vibration increases by the time it reaches the inner ear. This increase in force is necessary to transfer the energy of the sound wave to the fluid of the inner ear.

Inner ear

The inner ear contains a group of interconnected, fluid-filled chambers. The snail-shaped chamber, called the cochlea (KOK-lee-uh), plays a role in hearing. Sound vibrations from the bones of the middle ear are transferred to the fluids of the cochlea. Tiny sensors (hair cells) lining the cochlea convert the vibrations into electrical impulses that are transmitted along the auditory nerve to your brain. This is where the initial damage and hearing loss occur due to age, noise exposure or medication.

The other fluid-filled chambers of the inner ear include three tubes called the semicircular canals (vestibular labyrinth). Hair cells in the semicircular canals detect the motion of the fluid when you move in any direction. They convert the motion into electrical signals that are transmitted along the vestibular nerve to the brain. This sensory information enables you to maintain your sense of balance.

Traveling to the brain

Electrical impulses travel along the auditory nerve and pass through several information-processing centers. Signals from the right ear travel to the auditory cortex located in the temporal lobe on the left side of the brain. Signals from the left ear travel to the right auditory cortex.

The auditory cortices sort, process, interpret and file information about the sound. The comparison and analysis of all the signals that reach the brain enable you to detect certain sounds and suppress other sounds as background noise.

Symptoms

Symptoms of hearing loss may include:

Muffling of speech and other sounds.

Trouble understanding words, especially when in a crowd or a noisy place.

Trouble hearing the letters of the alphabet that aren't vowels.

Often asking others to speak more slowly, clearly and loudly.

Needing to turn up the volume of the television or radio.

Staying clear of some social settings.

Being bothered by background noise.

Ringing in the ears, known as tinnitus.

When to see a doctor

If you have a sudden loss of hearing, particularly in one ear, seek medical attention right away.

Talk to your health care provider if loss of hearing is causing you trouble. Age-related hearing loss happens little by little. So you may not notice it at first.

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Causes

To understand how hearing loss happens, it can be helpful to understand how hearing works.

How you hear

The ear has three main parts: the outer ear, middle ear and inner ear. Sound waves pass through the outer ear and cause the eardrum to vibrate. The eardrum and three small bones of the middle ear make the vibrations bigger as they travel to the inner ear. There, the vibrations pass through fluid in a snail-shaped part of the inner ear, known as the cochlea.

Attached to nerve cells in the cochlea are thousands of tiny hairs that help turn sound vibrations into electrical signals. The electrical signals are transmitted to the brain. The brain turns these signals into sound.

How hearing loss can occur

Causes of hearing loss include:

Damage to the inner ear. Aging and loud noise can cause wear and tear on the hairs or nerve cells in the cochlea that send sound signals to the brain. Damaged or missing hairs or nerve cells don't send electrical signals well. This causes hearing loss.

Higher pitched tones may seem muffled. It may be hard to pick out words against background noise.

Buildup of earwax. Over time, earwax can block the ear canal and keep sound waves from passing through. Earwax removal can help restore hearing.

Ear infection or unusual bone growths or tumors. In the outer or middle ear, any of these can cause hearing loss.

Ruptured eardrum, also known as tympanic membrane perforation. Loud blasts of noise, sudden changes in pressure, poking an eardrum with an object and infection can cause the eardrum to burst.

Mayo Clinic Minute: What is hearing loss?

Vivien Williams: Hearing loss is very common.

Matthew Carlson, M.D.: There's a lot of different types of hearing loss.

Vivien Williams: Dr. Matthew Carlson says temporary hearing loss can happen when your ears are plugged with wax or fluid behind the ear drum, for example. Nerve-related hearing loss is usually permanent.

Dr. Carlson: We call it sensorineural hearing loss. There are thousands of different causes of sensorineural hearing loss. The most common is probably just being over the age of 50...

Vivien Williams: ...or having a history of loud noise exposure. Dr. Carlson says just about all types of sensorineural hearing loss have to do with the loss of the function of hair cells in your inner ear.

Dr. Carlson: The hair cells, which are the end part of the inner ear that actually take the mechanical sound and turn it to electrical sound...

Vivien Williams: ...become fewer or don't function well. Hearing aids help to increase volume. For people with profound hearing loss, cochlear implants work by bypassing the hair cells and sending signals directly to the hearing nerve and brain. Once health care professionals figure out your type of hearing loss, they can tailor treatment that's best for you. For the Mayo Clinic News Network, I'm Vivien Williams.

Risk factors

Factors that damage or lead to loss of the hairs and nerve cells in the inner ear include:

Aging. The inner ear breaks down over time.

Loud noise. Being around loud sounds can damage the cells of the inner ear. Damage can happen by being around loud noises over time. Or the damage can come from a short blast of noise, such as from a gunshot.

Heredity. Your genes may make you more likely to have ear damage from sound or from aging.

Noises on the job. Jobs where loud noise is constant, such as farming, construction or factory work, can lead to damage inside the ear.

Noises at play. Exposure to explosive noises, such as from firearms and jet engines, can cause immediate, permanent hearing loss. Other activities with dangerously high noise levels include snowmobiling, motorcycling, carpentry or listening to loud music.

Some medicines. These include the antibiotic gentamicin, sildenafil (Viagra) and certain medicines used to treat cancer, which can damage the inner ear. Very high doses of aspirin, other pain relievers, antimalarial drugs or loop diuretics can cause short-term effects on hearing. These include ringing in the ears, also known as tinnitus, or hearing loss.

Some illnesses. Illnesses such as meningitis that cause high fever can harm the cochlea.

Comparing loudness of common sounds

The chart below lists common sounds and their decibel levels. A decibel is a unit used to measure how loud sound is. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says noise above 70 decibels over time can start to damage hearing. The louder the noise, the less time it takes to cause lasting hearing damage.

Longest amount of time to be around loud sounds

Below are the loudest noise levels people can be around on a job without hearing protection and for how long.

Complications

Hearing loss can make life less pleasant. Older adults with hearing loss often report being depressed. Because hearing loss can make it harder to talk with others, some people with hearing loss feel cut off from others. Hearing loss is also linked to loss of thinking skills, known as cognitive impairment.

Hearing loss also is linked to risk of falling.

Prevention

The following steps can help prevent hearing loss from loud noises and keep hearing loss from aging from getting worse:

Protect your ears. Staying away from loud noise is the best protection. In the workplace, plastic earplugs or glycerin-filled earmuffs can help protect hearing.

Have your hearing tested. If you work around a lot of noise, think about regular hearing tests. If you've lost some hearing, you can take steps to prevent further loss.

Avoid risks from hobbies and play. Riding a snowmobile or a jet ski, hunting, using power tools, or listening to rock concerts can damage hearing over time. Wearing hearing protectors or taking breaks from the noise can protect your ears. Turning down the volume when listening to music helps too.

Mayo Clinic Minute: Can you slow down age-related hearing loss?

Are you increasing the volume on the TV or asking others to speak up? You're not alone, especially if you're over age 50.

"Age-related hearing loss is called 'presbycusis.'"

The older you get, the more wear and tear you have on your ears says Dr. Gayla Poling.

"That's when we start noticing age-related hearing loss."

Dr. Poling says the majority of hearing loss is preventable. Hunters, for instance, are at risk of hearing loss.

"If you can wear hearing protection, especially designed hearing protection typically for hunting, where you can reduce the loud noise exposure but still hear the environment around you, that can really prevent long-term damage."

Dr. Poling says a hearing test can help evaluate whether you've experienced hearing loss.

"We're looking at the threshold that which you can hear sounds the softest, and you're usually pressing a button or raising your hands or somehow responding to when you hear those sounds. And we're evaluating the entire auditory system in that process - not just with the earphones, but we do some other tests to evaluate your middle ear and the inner ear, as well."

So before you have to turn up the sound, consider turning it down. For the Mayo Clinic News Network, I'm Ian Roth.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Age- and noise-related hearing loss are common and can affect quality of life. But many treatments are available.

# data[].attributes.body
Causes include:

Damage to the inner ear. Aging and loud noise can cause wear and tear on the hairs or nerve cells in the cochlea that send sound signals to the brain. Damaged or missing hairs or nerve cells don't send electrical signals well. This causes hearing loss.

Higher pitched tones may seem muffled. It may be hard to pick out words against background noise.

Ear infection or unusual bone growths or tumors. In the outer or middle ear, any of these can cause hearing loss.

Ruptured eardrum, also known as tympanic membrane perforation.Loud blasts of noise, sudden changes in pressure, poking an eardrum with an object and infection can cause the eardrum to burst.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Overview

Hearing loss that comes on little by little as you age, also known as presbycusis, is common. More than half the people in the United States older than age 75 have some age-related hearing loss.

There are three types of hearing loss:

Conductive, which involves the outer or middle ear.

Sensorineural, which involves the inner ear.

Mixed, which is a mix of the two.

Aging and being around loud noises both can cause hearing loss. Other factors, such as too much earwax, can lower how well ears work for a time.

You usually can't get hearing back. But there are ways to improve what you hear.

Parts of the ear

The ear is made up of three primary parts: the outer ear, middle ear and inner ear. Each section is composed of structures that play distinct roles in the process of converting sound waves into signals that go to the brain.

Outer ear

The outer ear is composed of the visible part of the ear (pinna) and the ear canal. The cup-shaped pinna (PIN-uh) gathers sound waves from the environment and directs them into the ear canal.

Middle ear

The middle ear is an air-filled cavity that holds a chain of three bones: the hammer (malleus), the anvil (incus) and the stirrup (stapes). These bones are separated from the outer ear by the eardrum (tympanic membrane), which vibrates when struck by a sound wave.

The middle ear is connected to the back of your nose and upper part of your throat by a narrow channel called the auditory tube (eustachian tube). The tube opens and closes at the throat end to equalize the pressure in the middle ear with that of the environment and drain fluids. Equal pressure on both sides of the eardrum is important for normal vibration of the eardrum.

Bones of the middle ear

The middle ear contains three tiny bones:

Hammer (malleus) - attached to eardrum

Anvil (incus) - in the middle of the chain of bones

Stirrup (stapes) - attached to the membrane-covered opening that connects the middle ear with the inner ear (oval window)

The vibration of the eardrum triggers a chain of vibrations through the bones. Because of differences in the size, shape and position of the three bones, the force of the vibration increases by the time it reaches the inner ear. This increase in force is necessary to transfer the energy of the sound wave to the fluid of the inner ear.

Inner ear

The inner ear contains a group of interconnected, fluid-filled chambers. The snail-shaped chamber, called the cochlea (KOK-lee-uh), plays a role in hearing. Sound vibrations from the bones of the middle ear are transferred to the fluids of the cochlea. Tiny sensors (hair cells) lining the cochlea convert the vibrations into electrical impulses that are transmitted along the auditory nerve to your brain. This is where the initial damage and hearing loss occur due to age, noise exposure or medication.

The other fluid-filled chambers of the inner ear include three tubes called the semicircular canals (vestibular labyrinth). Hair cells in the semicircular canals detect the motion of the fluid when you move in any direction. They convert the motion into electrical signals that are transmitted along the vestibular nerve to the brain. This sensory information enables you to maintain your sense of balance.

Traveling to the brain

Electrical impulses travel along the auditory nerve and pass through several information-processing centers. Signals from the right ear travel to the auditory cortex located in the temporal lobe on the left side of the brain. Signals from the left ear travel to the right auditory cortex.

The auditory cortices sort, process, interpret and file information about the sound. The comparison and analysis of all the signals that reach the brain enable you to detect certain sounds and suppress other sounds as background noise.

Symptoms

Symptoms of hearing loss may include:

Muffling of speech and other sounds.

Trouble understanding words, especially when in a crowd or a noisy place.

Trouble hearing the letters of the alphabet that aren't vowels.

Often asking others to speak more slowly, clearly and loudly.

Needing to turn up the volume of the television or radio.

Staying clear of some social settings.

Being bothered by background noise.

Ringing in the ears, known as tinnitus.

When to see a doctor

If you have a sudden loss of hearing, particularly in one ear, seek medical attention right away.

Talk to your health care provider if loss of hearing is causing you trouble. Age-related hearing loss happens little by little. So you may not notice it at first.

From Mayo Clinic to your inbox

Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview.

Email field is required

Include a valid email address

Learn more about Mayo Clinic's use of data.

To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail.

Thank you for subscribing!

You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox.

Sorry something went wrong with your subscription

Please, try again in a couple of minutes

Causes

To understand how hearing loss happens, it can be helpful to understand how hearing works.

How you hear

The ear has three main parts: the outer ear, middle ear and inner ear. Sound waves pass through the outer ear and cause the eardrum to vibrate. The eardrum and three small bones of the middle ear make the vibrations bigger as they travel to the inner ear. There, the vibrations pass through fluid in a snail-shaped part of the inner ear, known as the cochlea.

Attached to nerve cells in the cochlea are thousands of tiny hairs that help turn sound vibrations into electrical signals. The electrical signals are transmitted to the brain. The brain turns these signals into sound.

How hearing loss can occur

Causes of hearing loss include:

Damage to the inner ear. Aging and loud noise can cause wear and tear on the hairs or nerve cells in the cochlea that send sound signals to the brain. Damaged or missing hairs or nerve cells don't send electrical signals well. This causes hearing loss.

Higher pitched tones may seem muffled. It may be hard to pick out words against background noise.

Buildup of earwax. Over time, earwax can block the ear canal and keep sound waves from passing through. Earwax removal can help restore hearing.

Ear infection or unusual bone growths or tumors. In the outer or middle ear, any of these can cause hearing loss.

Ruptured eardrum, also known as tympanic membrane perforation. Loud blasts of noise, sudden changes in pressure, poking an eardrum with an object and infection can cause the eardrum to burst.

Mayo Clinic Minute: What is hearing loss?

Vivien Williams: Hearing loss is very common.

Matthew Carlson, M.D.: There's a lot of different types of hearing loss.

Vivien Williams: Dr. Matthew Carlson says temporary hearing loss can happen when your ears are plugged with wax or fluid behind the ear drum, for example. Nerve-related hearing loss is usually permanent.

Dr. Carlson: We call it sensorineural hearing loss. There are thousands of different causes of sensorineural hearing loss. The most common is probably just being over the age of 50...

Vivien Williams: ...or having a history of loud noise exposure. Dr. Carlson says just about all types of sensorineural hearing loss have to do with the loss of the function of hair cells in your inner ear.

Dr. Carlson: The hair cells, which are the end part of the inner ear that actually take the mechanical sound and turn it to electrical sound...

Vivien Williams: ...become fewer or don't function well. Hearing aids help to increase volume. For people with profound hearing loss, cochlear implants work by bypassing the hair cells and sending signals directly to the hearing nerve and brain. Once health care professionals figure out your type of hearing loss, they can tailor treatment that's best for you. For the Mayo Clinic News Network, I'm Vivien Williams.

Risk factors

Factors that damage or lead to loss of the hairs and nerve cells in the inner ear include:

Aging. The inner ear breaks down over time.

Loud noise. Being around loud sounds can damage the cells of the inner ear. Damage can happen by being around loud noises over time. Or the damage can come from a short blast of noise, such as from a gunshot.

Heredity. Your genes may make you more likely to have ear damage from sound or from aging.

Noises on the job. Jobs where loud noise is constant, such as farming, construction or factory work, can lead to damage inside the ear.

Noises at play. Exposure to explosive noises, such as from firearms and jet engines, can cause immediate, permanent hearing loss. Other activities with dangerously high noise levels include snowmobiling, motorcycling, carpentry or listening to loud music.

Some medicines. These include the antibiotic gentamicin, sildenafil (Viagra) and certain medicines used to treat cancer, which can damage the inner ear. Very high doses of aspirin, other pain relievers, antimalarial drugs or loop diuretics can cause short-term effects on hearing. These include ringing in the ears, also known as tinnitus, or hearing loss.

Some illnesses. Illnesses such as meningitis that cause high fever can harm the cochlea.

Comparing loudness of common sounds

The chart below lists common sounds and their decibel levels. A decibel is a unit used to measure how loud sound is. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says noise above 70 decibels over time can start to damage hearing. The louder the noise, the less time it takes to cause lasting hearing damage.

Longest amount of time to be around loud sounds

Below are the loudest noise levels people can be around on a job without hearing protection and for how long.

Complications

Hearing loss can make life less pleasant. Older adults with hearing loss often report being depressed. Because hearing loss can make it harder to talk with others, some people with hearing loss feel cut off from others. Hearing loss is also linked to loss of thinking skills, known as cognitive impairment.

Hearing loss also is linked to risk of falling.

Prevention

The following steps can help prevent hearing loss from loud noises and keep hearing loss from aging from getting worse:

Protect your ears. Staying away from loud noise is the best protection. In the workplace, plastic earplugs or glycerin-filled earmuffs can help protect hearing.

Have your hearing tested. If you work around a lot of noise, think about regular hearing tests. If you've lost some hearing, you can take steps to prevent further loss.

Avoid risks from hobbies and play. Riding a snowmobile or a jet ski, hunting, using power tools, or listening to rock concerts can damage hearing over time. Wearing hearing protectors or taking breaks from the noise can protect your ears. Turning down the volume when listening to music helps too.

Mayo Clinic Minute: Can you slow down age-related hearing loss?

Are you increasing the volume on the TV or asking others to speak up? You're not alone, especially if you're over age 50.

"Age-related hearing loss is called 'presbycusis.'"

The older you get, the more wear and tear you have on your ears says Dr. Gayla Poling.

"That's when we start noticing age-related hearing loss."

Dr. Poling says the majority of hearing loss is preventable. Hunters, for instance, are at risk of hearing loss.

"If you can wear hearing protection, especially designed hearing protection typically for hunting, where you can reduce the loud noise exposure but still hear the environment around you, that can really prevent long-term damage."

Dr. Poling says a hearing test can help evaluate whether you've experienced hearing loss.

"We're looking at the threshold that which you can hear sounds the softest, and you're usually pressing a button or raising your hands or somehow responding to when you hear those sounds. And we're evaluating the entire auditory system in that process - not just with the earphones, but we do some other tests to evaluate your middle ear and the inner ear, as well."

So before you have to turn up the sound, consider turning it down. For the Mayo Clinic News Network, I'm Ian Roth.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Age- and noise-related hearing loss are common and can affect quality of life. But many treatments are available.

# data[].attributes.headline
Risk Factors that Lead to Hearing Loss: 

# data[].attributes.subject
Risk Factors that Lead to Hearing Loss: 

# data[].attributes.body
Aging. The inner ear breaks down over time.

Loud noise. Being around loud sounds can damage the cells of the inner ear. Damage can happen by being around loud noises over time. Or the damage can come from a short blast of noise, such as from a gunshot.

Heredity. Your genes may make you more likely to have ear damage from sound or from aging.

Noises on the job. Jobs where loud noise is constant, such as farming, construction or factory work, can lead to damage inside the ear.

Noises at play. Exposure to explosive noises, such as from firearms and jet engines, can cause immediate, permanent hearing loss. Other activities with dangerously high noise levels include snowmobiling, motorcycling, carpentry or listening to loud music.

Some medicines. These include the antibiotic gentamicin, sildenafil (Viagra) and certain medicines used to treat cancer, which can damage the inner ear. Very high doses of aspirin, other pain relievers, antimalarial drugs or loop diuretics can cause short-term effects on hearing. These include ringing in the ears, also known as tinnitus, or hearing loss.

Some illnesses. Illnesses such as meningitis that cause high fever can harm the cochlea.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Overview

Hearing loss that comes on little by little as you age, also known as presbycusis, is common. More than half the people in the United States older than age 75 have some age-related hearing loss.

There are three types of hearing loss:

Conductive, which involves the outer or middle ear.

Sensorineural, which involves the inner ear.

Mixed, which is a mix of the two.

Aging and being around loud noises both can cause hearing loss. Other factors, such as too much earwax, can lower how well ears work for a time.

You usually can't get hearing back. But there are ways to improve what you hear.

Parts of the ear

The ear is made up of three primary parts: the outer ear, middle ear and inner ear. Each section is composed of structures that play distinct roles in the process of converting sound waves into signals that go to the brain.

Outer ear

The outer ear is composed of the visible part of the ear (pinna) and the ear canal. The cup-shaped pinna (PIN-uh) gathers sound waves from the environment and directs them into the ear canal.

Middle ear

The middle ear is an air-filled cavity that holds a chain of three bones: the hammer (malleus), the anvil (incus) and the stirrup (stapes). These bones are separated from the outer ear by the eardrum (tympanic membrane), which vibrates when struck by a sound wave.

The middle ear is connected to the back of your nose and upper part of your throat by a narrow channel called the auditory tube (eustachian tube). The tube opens and closes at the throat end to equalize the pressure in the middle ear with that of the environment and drain fluids. Equal pressure on both sides of the eardrum is important for normal vibration of the eardrum.

Bones of the middle ear

The middle ear contains three tiny bones:

Hammer (malleus) - attached to eardrum

Anvil (incus) - in the middle of the chain of bones

Stirrup (stapes) - attached to the membrane-covered opening that connects the middle ear with the inner ear (oval window)

The vibration of the eardrum triggers a chain of vibrations through the bones. Because of differences in the size, shape and position of the three bones, the force of the vibration increases by the time it reaches the inner ear. This increase in force is necessary to transfer the energy of the sound wave to the fluid of the inner ear.

Inner ear

The inner ear contains a group of interconnected, fluid-filled chambers. The snail-shaped chamber, called the cochlea (KOK-lee-uh), plays a role in hearing. Sound vibrations from the bones of the middle ear are transferred to the fluids of the cochlea. Tiny sensors (hair cells) lining the cochlea convert the vibrations into electrical impulses that are transmitted along the auditory nerve to your brain. This is where the initial damage and hearing loss occur due to age, noise exposure or medication.

The other fluid-filled chambers of the inner ear include three tubes called the semicircular canals (vestibular labyrinth). Hair cells in the semicircular canals detect the motion of the fluid when you move in any direction. They convert the motion into electrical signals that are transmitted along the vestibular nerve to the brain. This sensory information enables you to maintain your sense of balance.

Traveling to the brain

Electrical impulses travel along the auditory nerve and pass through several information-processing centers. Signals from the right ear travel to the auditory cortex located in the temporal lobe on the left side of the brain. Signals from the left ear travel to the right auditory cortex.

The auditory cortices sort, process, interpret and file information about the sound. The comparison and analysis of all the signals that reach the brain enable you to detect certain sounds and suppress other sounds as background noise.

Symptoms

Symptoms of hearing loss may include:

Muffling of speech and other sounds.

Trouble understanding words, especially when in a crowd or a noisy place.

Trouble hearing the letters of the alphabet that aren't vowels.

Often asking others to speak more slowly, clearly and loudly.

Needing to turn up the volume of the television or radio.

Staying clear of some social settings.

Being bothered by background noise.

Ringing in the ears, known as tinnitus.

When to see a doctor

If you have a sudden loss of hearing, particularly in one ear, seek medical attention right away.

Talk to your health care provider if loss of hearing is causing you trouble. Age-related hearing loss happens little by little. So you may not notice it at first.

From Mayo Clinic to your inbox

Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview.

Email field is required

Include a valid email address

Learn more about Mayo Clinic's use of data.

To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail.

Thank you for subscribing!

You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox.

Sorry something went wrong with your subscription

Please, try again in a couple of minutes

Causes

To understand how hearing loss happens, it can be helpful to understand how hearing works.

How you hear

The ear has three main parts: the outer ear, middle ear and inner ear. Sound waves pass through the outer ear and cause the eardrum to vibrate. The eardrum and three small bones of the middle ear make the vibrations bigger as they travel to the inner ear. There, the vibrations pass through fluid in a snail-shaped part of the inner ear, known as the cochlea.

Attached to nerve cells in the cochlea are thousands of tiny hairs that help turn sound vibrations into electrical signals. The electrical signals are transmitted to the brain. The brain turns these signals into sound.

How hearing loss can occur

Causes of hearing loss include:

Damage to the inner ear. Aging and loud noise can cause wear and tear on the hairs or nerve cells in the cochlea that send sound signals to the brain. Damaged or missing hairs or nerve cells don't send electrical signals well. This causes hearing loss.

Higher pitched tones may seem muffled. It may be hard to pick out words against background noise.

Buildup of earwax. Over time, earwax can block the ear canal and keep sound waves from passing through. Earwax removal can help restore hearing.

Ear infection or unusual bone growths or tumors. In the outer or middle ear, any of these can cause hearing loss.

Ruptured eardrum, also known as tympanic membrane perforation. Loud blasts of noise, sudden changes in pressure, poking an eardrum with an object and infection can cause the eardrum to burst.

Mayo Clinic Minute: What is hearing loss?

Vivien Williams: Hearing loss is very common.

Matthew Carlson, M.D.: There's a lot of different types of hearing loss.

Vivien Williams: Dr. Matthew Carlson says temporary hearing loss can happen when your ears are plugged with wax or fluid behind the ear drum, for example. Nerve-related hearing loss is usually permanent.

Dr. Carlson: We call it sensorineural hearing loss. There are thousands of different causes of sensorineural hearing loss. The most common is probably just being over the age of 50...

Vivien Williams: ...or having a history of loud noise exposure. Dr. Carlson says just about all types of sensorineural hearing loss have to do with the loss of the function of hair cells in your inner ear.

Dr. Carlson: The hair cells, which are the end part of the inner ear that actually take the mechanical sound and turn it to electrical sound...

Vivien Williams: ...become fewer or don't function well. Hearing aids help to increase volume. For people with profound hearing loss, cochlear implants work by bypassing the hair cells and sending signals directly to the hearing nerve and brain. Once health care professionals figure out your type of hearing loss, they can tailor treatment that's best for you. For the Mayo Clinic News Network, I'm Vivien Williams.

Risk factors

Factors that damage or lead to loss of the hairs and nerve cells in the inner ear include:

Aging. The inner ear breaks down over time.

Loud noise. Being around loud sounds can damage the cells of the inner ear. Damage can happen by being around loud noises over time. Or the damage can come from a short blast of noise, such as from a gunshot.

Heredity. Your genes may make you more likely to have ear damage from sound or from aging.

Noises on the job. Jobs where loud noise is constant, such as farming, construction or factory work, can lead to damage inside the ear.

Noises at play. Exposure to explosive noises, such as from firearms and jet engines, can cause immediate, permanent hearing loss. Other activities with dangerously high noise levels include snowmobiling, motorcycling, carpentry or listening to loud music.

Some medicines. These include the antibiotic gentamicin, sildenafil (Viagra) and certain medicines used to treat cancer, which can damage the inner ear. Very high doses of aspirin, other pain relievers, antimalarial drugs or loop diuretics can cause short-term effects on hearing. These include ringing in the ears, also known as tinnitus, or hearing loss.

Some illnesses. Illnesses such as meningitis that cause high fever can harm the cochlea.

Comparing loudness of common sounds

The chart below lists common sounds and their decibel levels. A decibel is a unit used to measure how loud sound is. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says noise above 70 decibels over time can start to damage hearing. The louder the noise, the less time it takes to cause lasting hearing damage.

Longest amount of time to be around loud sounds

Below are the loudest noise levels people can be around on a job without hearing protection and for how long.

Complications

Hearing loss can make life less pleasant. Older adults with hearing loss often report being depressed. Because hearing loss can make it harder to talk with others, some people with hearing loss feel cut off from others. Hearing loss is also linked to loss of thinking skills, known as cognitive impairment.

Hearing loss also is linked to risk of falling.

Prevention

The following steps can help prevent hearing loss from loud noises and keep hearing loss from aging from getting worse:

Protect your ears. Staying away from loud noise is the best protection. In the workplace, plastic earplugs or glycerin-filled earmuffs can help protect hearing.

Have your hearing tested. If you work around a lot of noise, think about regular hearing tests. If you've lost some hearing, you can take steps to prevent further loss.

Avoid risks from hobbies and play. Riding a snowmobile or a jet ski, hunting, using power tools, or listening to rock concerts can damage hearing over time. Wearing hearing protectors or taking breaks from the noise can protect your ears. Turning down the volume when listening to music helps too.

Mayo Clinic Minute: Can you slow down age-related hearing loss?

Are you increasing the volume on the TV or asking others to speak up? You're not alone, especially if you're over age 50.

"Age-related hearing loss is called 'presbycusis.'"

The older you get, the more wear and tear you have on your ears says Dr. Gayla Poling.

"That's when we start noticing age-related hearing loss."

Dr. Poling says the majority of hearing loss is preventable. Hunters, for instance, are at risk of hearing loss.

"If you can wear hearing protection, especially designed hearing protection typically for hunting, where you can reduce the loud noise exposure but still hear the environment around you, that can really prevent long-term damage."

Dr. Poling says a hearing test can help evaluate whether you've experienced hearing loss.

"We're looking at the threshold that which you can hear sounds the softest, and you're usually pressing a button or raising your hands or somehow responding to when you hear those sounds. And we're evaluating the entire auditory system in that process - not just with the earphones, but we do some other tests to evaluate your middle ear and the inner ear, as well."

So before you have to turn up the sound, consider turning it down. For the Mayo Clinic News Network, I'm Ian Roth.

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Age- and noise-related hearing loss are common and can affect quality of life. But many treatments are available.

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The IDEA's Special Education Categories: Hearing Impaired

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It can be challenging to work with students who have hearing impairments. It is important to make sure that I'm being inclusive in the classroom as well. Some things that I would include in the classroom are: ensuring that background noise is omitted, I won't speak when facing the board while teaching, I'd repeat any questions clearly that are asked by students, I can use closed captions on any films or videos, use assistive devices, and I'd encourage the student to sit towards the front of the classroom.

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According to Deafness Forum Australia, approximately one in six Australians has a significant hearing loss. Within this population, most individuals have some level of hearing impairment and only a small proportion of the group is deaf. Types of hearing loss include sensorineural (nerve-related), conductive (affecting the outer or middle ear) or a mixed hearing loss (mixture of both types.) People who use Australian Sign Language (Auslan) often prefer to be referred to as deaf rather than hard of hearing. They see this as a positive identity rather than a negative label.

People who have a hearing loss are either pre-lingually deafened or post-lingually deafened. People who are pre-lingually deafened have lost their hearing before they acquired language. People who are post-lingually deafened acquired their hearing loss after they acquired language. For each group the impact of the hearing loss and the degree of deafness will vary.

Some people who are pre-lingually deafened use Auslan. Many received cochlear implants early at birth. Some rely on spoken language. Many communicate with a combination of spoken language and sign language. Some have normal language and literacy development. Some may have issues with literacy. It varies greatly, so it is important to understand the needs of each individual. All these factors need to be considered when assessing the types of reasonable adjustments.

People who have a post-lingual hearing loss generally acquired their hearing loss later in life. They may or may not benefit from listening devices. Some may learn sign language as a means to diversify access to communication. As with people who are pre-lingually deafened, it is important to assess the needs of each individual before implementing any reasonable adjustments. This is because the requirements of each individual can be diverse.

Students with a hearing loss may require accommodations and assistive devices to have the best access to education. Accommodations may be as simple as preferential seating or as complex as wireless assistive listening devices in the classroom. Some will require Auslan interpreters and live remote captioning. Each learner with a hearing loss should be assessed individually and accommodations should be implemented based on the unique needs of each student.

Impact of Hearing Loss

The learning processes of students with a hearing loss may be affected in the following ways:

Students who have been deafened in early childhood can be very different to students who have lost hearing later in life in terms of educational disadvantage. For example, their range of vocabulary may be limited, which in turn may affect their level of English literacy.

Deaf and hard of hearing students can sometimes prefer visual learning strategies. This can be a challenge in an environment where much essential information is delivered exclusively by word of mouth.

Students with a hearing loss may need to use assistive technology to participate in class. This assistive technology can be the laptop where software such as Skype can be used to deliver Auslan interpreters or captioning. For some it will be in the form of listening devices. For others it will be a combination of technology that includes both listening devices and computer based software.

The impact of hearing loss can cause delays in receiving learning material. Students who need information transcribed from tape must sometimes wait for a significant period of time for this to happen. This needs to be considered in terms of developing suitable timelines for the completion of work for each student.

Students with hearing loss may appear isolated in the learning environment. The possibility for social contact and interaction with other students is often limited, and this isolation or separateness may have an impact on learning.

Participation and interaction in tutorials may be limited. Students who cannot hear the flow and nuances of rapid verbal exchange will be at a disadvantage.

Some students with hearing loss coming straight from the school system have been familiar with a structured learning environment, and may require a period of adjustment when entering into the post-secondary learning environment. Communication difficulties and adjustments may lead to a level of anxiety about performing in front of others. This may affect participation in tutorials, particularly for students whose speech development has been impacted by their hearing loss.

Teaching Strategies

There is a range of inclusive teaching strategies that can assist all students to learn but there are some specific strategies that are useful in teaching a group that includes students with a hearing impairment:

Encourage students with a hearing loss to seat themselves toward the front of the lecture theatre where they will have an unobstructed line of vision. This is particularly important if the student is using an interpreter, lip-reading, relying on visual clues or using a hearing aid which has a limited range. Be aware that some students may not be comfortable with this suggestion or have alternate strategies. Respect their choices.

Use assistive listening devices such as induction loops if these are available in the lecture theatre. Hearing aids may include transmitter/receiver systems with a clip-on microphone for the lecturer. If using such a microphone, it is not necessary to change your speaking or teaching style.

Ensure that any background noise is minimised.

Repeat clearly any questions asked by students in the lecture or class before giving a response.

Do not speak when facing the blackboard. Be aware that moustaches, beards, hands, books or microphones in front of your face can add to the difficulties of lip-readers. Students who lip-read cannot function in darkened rooms. You may need to adjust the lighting in your teaching environment. If a sign interpreter is employed, follow the hints for working with a sign interpreter.

It is difficult for a student watching an interpreter to also take notes from an overhead or blackboard. An interpreter is unable to translate concurrently both your words and any information given on an overhead. It is important therefore that all information should also be available as handouts.

Provide written materials to supplement all lectures, tutorials and laboratory sessions. Announcements made regarding class times, activities, field work, industry visits etc, should be given in writing as well as verbally.

Allow students to record lectures or, preferably, make available copies of your lecture notes. Flexible delivery of teaching materials via electronic media is also particularly helpful for students who have difficulty accessing information in the usual ways. For students with a hearing loss, new technology - and the internet in particular - can be used to bridge many gaps.

Ensure that lists of the subject-specific jargon and technical terms which students will need to acquire are made available early in the course. If interpreters or captioning are being used as an adjustment, make this list available to the professionals providing the service as early as possible.

Any videos or films used should, where possible, be captioned. When this is not possible, you will need to consider alternative ways for students with hearing impairment to access the information.

In tutorials, assist students who lip-read by having the student sit directly opposite you and ensure, if possible, that they can see all other participants. Control the discussion so that only one person is speaking at a time.

Students with hearing loss, especially those with associated speech issues, may prefer to have another student present their tutorial papers.

Language abilities are often affected by hearing loss, depending on the age of onset. Students who acquired their hearing loss early in life may have literacy issues. In some cases, providing reading lists well before the start of a course for students with a hearing loss can be beneficial. Consider tailoring these reading lists when necessary, and provide guidance to key texts.

Allow assignments or reviews to be completed on an in-depth study of a few texts rather than a broad study of many.

Using Auslan interpreters and live remote captioning may require some adjustments in teaching styles, particularly the pace of the learning. Consult with the providers of the service early to identify any potential changes.

Where live remote captioning is provided, a transcript of the session can usually be assessed within 24 hours. It is recommended that these be emailed directly to the student as an accurate record of reference.

Assessment Strategies

Always consider alternative forms of assessment where necessary. Standards are not expected to be lowered to accommodate students with a disability but rather are required to give them a reasonable opportunity to demonstrate what they have learnt. Once you have a clear picture of how the disability impacts on learning, you can consider alternative assessment strategies:

When their range of literacy is an issue, students may require the use of a thesaurus or dictionary during exams. A personal computer with spelling and grammar functions may be required.

Provide alternatives to those assignments which are based on interviews or questionnaires, and be flexible with assignment deadlines, particularly if students have had to wait for transcripts of learning sessions.

Provide extra time in examinations, particularly extra time for reading questions. Some students will prefer to have questions and instructions 'signed' to them.

Related Resources

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Inclusive Teaching: Deaf and Hard of Hearing

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Inclusive teaching practices for Deaf an hard of hearing students.

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In the typical classroom the learning is traditionally taught by speaking to the class, but for students that are hearing impaired it will cause them the struggle. It can be hard to find inclusive ways of teaching these students. It can also be challenging to help the students to be inclusive of everyone. Some other classmates might not want to be socially interactive because they find it too challenging. It is important that I will make sure that as a teacher, I can give suggestions on how to be inclusive. It can also be hard for these students to pay attention or process materials quickly.

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Imagine trying to learn a lesson in a busy classroom, surrounded by the hum of conversation, students constantly getting up from their desks, and the occasional laughter.

As the teacher delivers the lecture, they move around the room, most times with their back to you. You struggle to catch fragments of their words, trying to piece together the information.

Oh, and you will be tested on what you've learned at the end of the day. Seems a bit unfair.

This scenario, unfortunately, is a reality for many people who are deaf or hard of hearing in the classroom around the world.

According to the National Association of the Deaf, in the US approximately 233,648 deaf or hard of hearing students are mainstream into general education without an Individualized Education Program (IEP) which diminishes the quality of accessibility and learning needs of each student.

Students who are deaf or hard of hearing in the classroom face many challenges that are often overlooked.

But there's a silver lining. Schools and teachers can create an environment that supports the learning and success of students who are deaf or hard of hearing in the classroom.

From implementing effective classroom strategies rooted in accessibility and creating an inclusive environment where peers become sources of support rather than a social concern.

This article will explore the challenges faced by students who are deaf or hard of hearing in the classroom, the importance of inclusivity, and practical classroom strategies for deaf students educators can employ to ensure their classroom becomes a haven for all students, regardless of their hearing abilities.

What we'll cover:

Understanding Deafness and its Impact on Learning

Inclusive Education for Deaf Students: Importance and Benefits

Creating a Supportive Classroom Environment

Communication Strategies for Teachers and Peers

Collaborating with Sign Language Interpreters

Understanding Deafness and its Impact on Learning

Deafness can significantly impact a student's learning experience in the classroom.

Considerations for reasonable adjustments should account for the diverse needs. Some students may be prelingually deaf and use sign language as their primary mode of communication. Some have partial hearing loss and may benefit from hearing aids or cochlear implants. Additionally, some students rely on lip reading, and some use sign and spoken language. Regardless, one of the primary challenges is the lack of access to auditory information.

Teachers and educators need to understand the challenges and learn how to help students who are deaf or hard of hearing in the classroom.

Inclusive Education for Deaf Students: Importance and Benefits

Male teacher using sign language with an elementary girl in the classroom.

Inclusive education is essential for deaf students to receive equal opportunities and access to education. Educators can support their academic and social development by creating a deaf friendly classroom environment.

At the same time, deaf or hard of hearing students 3 years and older who attend public school may qualify for an Individualized Education Program (IEP) covered by special education law or the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

The IEP lays out the program of special education instruction, supports, and services they need to make progress and thrive in school, including current performance levels, student goals and placement.

The best part is that inclusive education benefits both deaf and hearing students. It promotes empathy, understanding, and diversity within the classroom.

Hearing students can learn from their deaf peers and develop communication and social skills that will be valuable in future interactions with diverse individuals.

What teaching strategies are most effective for deaf or hard of hearing students in the classroom?

Traditional teaching methods heavily rely on spoken language, which can be inaccessible to students who are deaf or hard of hearing in the classroom. This can result in difficulties understanding instructions, participating in class discussions, and comprehending spoken lectures. Additionally, they may struggle with social interactions and fitting in with their hearing peers.

The good news is that several strategies, many of which are so simple and easy to implement, can greatly impact the learning experience of students who are deaf or hard of hearing in the classroom.

Creating a Supportive Classroom Environment

Smiling teacher sitting on a desk while holding iPad and giving a math lesson to students.

How to help deaf or hard of hearing students in the classroom?

Creating a supportive classroom environment is crucial for deaf students' success. Here are some strategies that can help build a deaf-friendly classroom:

1. Ensure there is a clear line of sight: Give students who are deaf or hard of hearing in the classroom the ability to choose where they want to sit. For example, sitting in the front of the lecture with an unobstructed view allows them to see the teacher clearly and any visual aids or presentations, ensuring optimal visual access to the instruction.

2. Ensure comfortable lighting: Natural light environments are best. Lighting that is too dark makes it hard to see, and lighting that is too bright (like harsh fluorescent lighting) is taxing on the eyes. Also, make sure whoever is speaking doesn't have shadows on their face or glare coming from behind them.

3. Reduce background noise: Minimize unnecessary noise in the classroom, such as chatter from other students or external distractions. This will help students who are deaf or hard of hearing in the classroom to focus on the teacher's instructions and communication.

4. Use visual cues: Incorporate visual cues and gestures during instruction to supplement spoken language. Visual cues can help convey meaning and enhance understanding for students who are deaf or hard of hearing in the classroom. Plus, there are probably many visual learners in the classroom that will also benefit from this strategy.

5. Provide written instructions and announcements: Along with verbal instructions, provide written summaries of the lesson or special class announcements. This allows students who are deaf or hard of hearing in the classroom to review the material at their own pace and ensures clarity. If possible, provide learning lessons or new concepts and vocabulary in advance.

6. Face the student while speaking: Face the student while speaking and provide written notes so they can engage more during the lesson instead of having to write notes while the lecture is taking place.

7. Remain flexible and check in with your deaf and hard of hearing students: Let your students know you are there for them, and adjust your teaching strategies accordingly. Your goal is to empower them to be the best learners they can be. Encourage your deaf and hard of hearing students to speak up and be self-advocates if they face any challenges. That will allow them to know that you are there to support them.

8. Promote awareness and inclusivity: Foster an inclusive and respectful environment in the classroom where everyone's uniqueness is valued. Remember that this is an ongoing effort, not a one-time thing, the message and modeling of inclusivity must be consistent to fully reach levels of deep understanding and seamless integration habits among peers.

9. Use assistive technology: Encourage speech-to-text apps that use captions to live transcribe voice-to-text in real-time and can also serve as note-taking devices so they can focus on the live lecture.

10. Use captions in videos: If a video, clip, or movie is shown in class, ensure it includes captions.

Assistive Technology for Deaf Students

Assistive technologies are vital in facilitating communication and learning for students who are deaf or hard of hearing in the classroom. Here are some examples of assistive technologies commonly used:

1. Hearing aids: Hearing aids amplify sound, making it easier for students with partial hearing loss to perceive and understand speech.

2. Cochlear implants: Cochlear implants are electronic devices surgically implanted to bypass damaged parts of the ear and directly stimulate the auditory nerve. They can provide access to sound for students with severe or profound hearing loss.

3. FM systems: FM systems consist of a microphone worn by the teacher and a receiver worn by the student. The system transmits the teacher's voice directly to the student's hearing aids or cochlear implants, reducing background noise and improving speech clarity.

4. Speech-to-text and text-to-speech apps: These apps facilitate communication between deaf or hard of hearing individuals with hearing people. They help students engage, participate, and feel equally immersed in the classroom setting.

Communication & Classroom Strategies for Teachers and Peers

Good and open communication between teachers and students is crucial for academic success and also for the overall well-being of students.

For instance, imagine a student struggling with a complex math problem. Without communication, the student may hesitate to ask for help, leading to frustration and a lack of understanding. However, if students feel comfortable communicating with the teacher, they can seek clarification and guidance.

The teacher can provide step-by-step explanations, offer additional resources, or suggest alternative approaches. This open communication allows students to overcome difficulties, gain confidence, and improve their performance.

Having open lines of communication with teachers is crucial for students' academic performance and confidence for several reasons:

1. Clarifying doubts and understanding

2. Receiving guidance and feedback

3. Building rapport and trust

4. Receiving individualized support and accommodations

5. Feeling motivated and encouraged

6. Identifying issues early and seeking timely intervention

Collaborating with Sign Language Interpreters

If there's a sign language interpreter in the classroom, it's essential to establish a positive relationship to ensure effective communication and inclusion for students who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Here are some ways in which teachers can collaborate with sign language interpreters:

1. Discuss lesson plans, materials, and new vocabulary or concepts: This helps the interpreter prepare and ensure accurate interpretation.

2. Provide clear visibility: The teacher and interpreter should position themselves strategically and establish cues for turn-taking during discussions.

3. Share materials in advance: Share presentations, handouts, or reading materials with the interpreter to familiarize with the content and prepare any additional visual aids or modifications if necessary.

4. Facilitate teamwork: Clarifying roles and expectations, encouraging the interpreter to provide feedback on their understanding of the content, and creating an inclusive atmosphere where the interpreter is recognized as a valued team member.

5. Allow processing time: Pausing after asking questions or giving instructions can ensure that all students, including those relying on sign language interpretation, have ample time to understand and respond.

6. Seek feedback and remain open to adjusting: Regularly communicating with the interpreter about communication effectiveness and the student's learning experience can provide valuable insights.

7. Professional development and training: Participate in professional development opportunities working with sign language interpreters to improve strategies, increase awareness of accessibility needs, and enhance collaboration with interpreters in the classroom.

Conclusion

We can provide students who are deaf or hard of hearing in the classroom with equal opportunities to learn and thrive. It is important for teachers to understand the impact of deafness on learning and to foster open lines of communication with their students.

By collaborating with sign language interpreters and utilizing assistive technologies, teachers can create an inclusive environment for students who are deaf or hard of hearing in the classroom to feel valued and supported.

Are you a teacher? Share this article with your colleagues or any educator you may know, encouraging them to work towards creating an educational environment that celebrates the uniqueness of each student. Together, we can make a difference and promote inclusivity in classrooms worldwide.

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Challenges Deaf Students In The Classroom Face | Nagish

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Find out about obstacles that deaf students face in the classroom and ways to overcome them. Click here to read all about it!

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Strengths of Students with Hearing Impairments: 

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Strengths of Students with Hearing Impairments: 

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Although there are many challenges faced when a child has hearing loss there are some strengths. Areas of strengths I would see in my classroom include free recall, visuospatial recall, imagery, and dual encoding. Phonological encoding and rehearsal appear to be strengths when these strategies are employed.

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Abstract

The author reviews research on working memory and short-term memory abilities of deaf individuals, delineating strengths and weaknesses. Among the areas of weakness that are reviewed are sequential recall, processing speed, attention, and memory load. Areas of strengths include free recall, visuospatial recall, imagery, and dual encoding. Phonological encoding and rehearsal appear to be strengths when these strategies are employed. The implications of the strengths and weaknesses for language learning and educational achievement are discussed. Research questions are posed, and remedial and compensatory classroom applications are suggested.

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