Hearing Impairement

Definition:
“The partial or complete loss of sound sensitivity produced by abnormality any where in auditory system is called hearing impairment . It rises when disease, abnormality or damage occurs in auditory system, which can be mild, moderate or severe."
effects
Ø If any body does not hear the sound then he will not be able to produce a sound.
Ø The worst disability is hearing impairment because the person suffering from this is unable to express himself.

Causes of hearing impairment

1. PRENATAL FACTORS
Ø Rubella (General measles)
Ø Cytomegalo Viral Infection
Ø Influenza ( Severe flue with fever)
Ø Syphilis ( a venereal disease)
Ø Glandular fever ( Pus in gland)
Ø Ototoxic drugs i.e, Streptomycin, Gentamycin, Neomycin, Quinine, Alcohol etc.
2. PERINATAL FACTORS:
Ø Prematurity (Before time birth)
Ø Anoxia ( oxygen deficiency)
Ø Prolonged and difficult labour
Ø Neonatal jaundice
3. POST NATAL FACTORES
Ø Influenza
Ø Measles
Ø Mumps
Ø Typhoid
Ø Wax
Ø Meningitis
Ø Head injury
Ø Foreign bodies obstruction
Ø Trauma in ear ( blow air in to ear with open palm)

CATEGORIES OF HEARING IMPAIRMENT

There are three categories of hearing impairment.

1. Hard of hearing

This term implies to those who have mild to moderate hearing loss and are able to deliver speech & language with the use of hearing aids and favorable out come circumstances. It is essential that the residual hearing should be utilized for the development of speech and language. Efforts should be done to integrate them with the mainstream of education after they have achieved the primary level of education in special schools.

2. Severely to profoundly impaired

They are characterized by minimum development of speech and language. Pupils belonging to this category should be exposed to the full communication method.

3. Prelingnistically deaf

Children belonging to this group have congenital ( Onset of loss , occurs before acquisition of language i.e adolescence and adulthood) or early acquired hearing loss resulting to such a degree of hearing impairment (H.I) as it prevents the developing of speech and language even with the use of hearing aids. The linguistic of these children has to proceed with the aid of vision which depends on sign language communication. It is the primary means of acquiring knowledge for them.

PREVENTION OF DEAFNESS

• Take steps to prevent ear infection.
• Treat ear infection immediately.
• During pregnancy don’t take medicines that might be harmed to the baby.
• Vaccinate the girls and women against rebulla (German Mseasles) before they get pregnant.
• Regular medical check up.
• Eat as well as possible during pregnancy.
• Vaccinate the child against measles, mumps, typhoid etc.
• Avoid being near loud noise.
• Never put objects in to ears ( especially pointed).
• Don’t blow the ear with open palm.

TYPES OF DEAFNESS WITH REFRENCE TO db LOSS