Hearing Impairment

Conductive - Conductive means there is a problem with how the outer ear (what you see) or middle ear (ear canal, tiny bones, ear drum) works. Conductive hearing losses can be temporary (e.g. an ear infection that causes the eardrum to be less flexible, and thus not transmit sounds as loudly to the brain) or permanent (e.g. the ear canal is too narrow because the three tiny bones are fused together).

Sensorineural - Sensorineural which means there is a problem with how the inner ear (snail-like cochlea, auditory nerve) works. Sensorineural hearing loss is the most common type of hearing loss and is not able to be corrected medically. Sounds are not only softer but also unclear and distorted.

When working with a student that is deaf or hard of hearing in a MTSS (Multi-tiered System of Support), it's important to note what kind of devices the student has to hear with. If working with a student that has a cochlear implant (an amplified system surgically implanted into the ear), then the teacher will need to wear a microphone that can transmit her voice directly into the implant via a FM signal.

Hearing Aids - Hearing Aids "boost" the loudness levels of sounds around them so that they can detect most speech. However, even the best hearing aids are not powerful enough for students with profound hearing loss.

Cochlear Implants - Cochlear Implants are possible options for students with profound hearing loss to be able to hear speech. Cochlear implants are an electronic device that is surgically implanted under the skin behind the ear and contains a magnet that couples to a magnet in a sound transmitter that is worn externally.

Hearing, Ear Infections, and Deafness

Hearing Impaired

It's important when working with students that are hard of hearing or deaf, to make sure that directions are given not only orally, but also in writing.

The students need to sit near the teacher, and they need to be allowed to use a screen-reader and closed captioning of the material needed.

It's also important as an educator to check on the student frequently to make sure that they are comprehending what is expected of them.

It's also important that they are given extra time to complete testing and the core curriculum.