Hearing+Impairment

= //**Hearing Impairments**// =

**Definition:** The common definition for those with hearing impairments are //deaf// or //hard of hearing//.
 * Deafness causes a person to have to no functional hearing. Students who are deaf usually use American Sign Language (ASL).
 * A person that is hard of hearing can still understand speech and sounds through a combination of aids, such as a cochlear implant.

There are several types of hearing loss:
 * **Conductive Hearing Loss-** caused by obstructions/disease in the outer/middle ear
 * **Sensorineural Hearing Loss-** caused by damage of hair cells and the nerves in the inner ear
 * **Mixed Hearing Loss-** combination of both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss
 * **Central Hearing Loss-** caused by a damage of nerves in the Central Nervous System

**Hearing Assistive Technology in the Classroom**

The realm of hearing assistive technology is specifically aimed towards those with hearing loss. There are several options for those with hearing loss to help facilitate communication in the classroom for students who are hard of hearing.


 * Systems for the Hard of Hearing**
 * FM System || The FM system is a personal device in which a teacher wears a microphone and the student wears the receiver. Uses FM radio waves to transmit sounds.  || [[image:fmsystem.jpg width="177" height="82" align="center"]] ||
 * Infrared System || Infrared systems are similar to FM systems, but use light waves in order to transmit sounds. Infrared systems are more private in comparison to FM systems as well.  || [[image:infrared.jpg width="209" height="82" align="center"]] ||
 * Induction Loop System || A loop system works with the perimeter of the room and a hearing aid- it does not require an additional receiver. Loop systems work on a magnetic field and the student can use a telecoil in there hearing aid to turn the sounds on and off. It requires permanent installation.  || ====[[image:loop.jpg width="231" height="228"]]==== ||
 * Sound Amplification System || The sound amplification system serves the entire class through loudspeakers that are mounted throughout the room. Helps students will mild/moderate hearing losses and helps gain the attention of students that have ADD and central auditory disorders as well.  || [[image:ampsystem.jpg width="185" height="169" align="center"]] ||

For those who are deaf, translators can be provided. However, there is a program named iCommunicator- computer software that takes spoken words, transcripts them into text, and translates it into ASL.

media type="youtube" key="DmDVEvJYQV4" height="315" width="420" align="left" New technologies have also come out to help those who are deaf thanks to technologies such as the iPad and iPod touch. Applications can be bought and downloaded on Apple devices that can help those who are deaf or hard of hearing communicate and understand their environment. Some examples of these applications are: [|iASL for iPad] [|Subtitles] And alterations can be made in Accessibility [|Click here to learn how to alter settings in Accessibility on a Mac product] [|Click here to learn how to alter settings in Accessibility on Windows] S0urces: Dell, A., Newton, D., & Petroff, J. (2012). // Assistive technology in the classroom //. (Second Ed ed.). New York, NY: Pearson. //National Dissemination Center for Students with Disabilities.// (2012). Retrieved from [|http://nichcy.org/disability/specific/hearingloss#causes]. //American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.// (1997-2012). [].