Hearing Impairment Flashcards
hearing loss
being partly or totally unable to hear sound in one or both ears
causes of hearing loss
overexposure to noise
age related changes
congenital conditions
prenatal conditions
repeated ear infections
wax build up
types of hearing loss
conductive
sensorineural
mixed
conductive hearing loss
involves outer and middle ear
soft sounds difficult to hear, louder sounds muffled
fluid/wax buildup, infection, punctured eardrum, formation
medical or surgical treatment often effective
sensorineural hearing loss
involves inner ear and nerve pathways to brain
age related changes, oxotoxic drugs, formation of inner ear, loud noise exposure
most common
mixed hearing loss
combination of conductive and sensorineural loss
degrees of hearing loss
slight
mild
moderate
moderate severe
severe
profound
slight hearing loss
problems if listening conditions are poor
16-25
mild hearing loss
difficulty hearing soft or distant speech, may benefit from hearing aid
26-40
moderate hearing loss
conversation heard from 1-2 meters but understanding speech is a strain especially with background noise, hearing aids required
41-55
moderately severe hearing loss
conversation must be loud and nearby, hearing aids complemented by other devised and speech reading instruction
56-70
severe hearing loss
cannot hear loud speech or understand speech on telephone
71-90
profound hearing loss
some very loud sounds may be heard or felt through vibration
91+
signs of hearing loss
ringing or buzzing in ears
sounds seem muffled
difficulty understanding speech
difficulty understanding conversations when there is background noise
tinnitus
perception of noise in one’s head or ears with no external sound source
occasional, intermittent, or continuous
