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Hearing Loss and Deafness
What is hearing loss?
According to the ADA, “a hearing impairment is a hearing loss that prevents a person from totally
receiving sounds through the ear.” Hearing loss can be congenital (at birth) or acquired later in life.
There are four types of hearing loss:
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Conductive: caused by diseases or obstructions in the outer or middle ear that usually affects all
frequencies of hearing. A hearing aid generally helps a person with a conductive hearing loss.
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Sensorineural: results from damage to the inner ear. This loss can range from mild to profound
and often affects certain frequencies more than others. Sounds are often distorted, even with a
hearing aid. Cochlear implants often help those with sensorineural hearing loss.
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Mixed: occurs in both the inner and outer or middle ear.
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Central: results from damage to the central nervous system.i
Hearing loss is also classified as mild, moderate, severe, or profound. It can also be unilateral (in one ear
only) or bilateral (in both ears).
How common is hearing loss?
In 2009, 1.4 per 1,000 infants screened in the United States had some level of hearing loss.ii However,
this statistic excluded children who weren’t screened or lost their hearing later on. In 2011, it was
estimated that 31% of children and adolescents aged 12-19 had hearing loss in one or both earsiii. Again,
this doesn’t take into account all children with hearing loss, such as those aged 1-12.
Interesting fact: In the United States, 92% of children with hearing loss aged 6-19 years in 1999-2000
were born to two hearing parents.iv
15 PYD mentees are diagnosed with some level of hearing impairment. 4 are diagnosed with deafblindness.
Tips for Mentors:
1. Remember that everyone with hearing loss communicates differently! An individual may choose
to use one or a combination of these methods:
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American Sign Language (ASL): Primary language of people who are “Deaf” (as opposed
to the mainstream “deaf/hard-of-hearing”) – a subgroup of people with hearing loss
who choose to communicate via ASL and proclaim pride in their deafness. ASL consists
of hand movements and positions to express thoughts and phrases.
Written communication ("Pad and Pencil"): Self-explanatory. However, ASL is the
primary language for most people who are Deaf; English is a second language, so keep
words simple.
Partners for Youth with Disabilities
617-556-4075
www.pyd.org
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Finger spelling: Using the hand and fingers to spell out letters of the alphabet to form
words.
Lipreading: Difficult skill used only by about 10% of people with hearing impairments.
Don't assume that someone with hearing loss can lipread, but do let them see your
mouth while you’re talking, for helpful visual cues.
Oral communication: The person may wear hearing aids and/or cochlear implants, and
prefers to communicate by speaking and listening.v
2. Ask the person how they prefer to communicate and adjust your behavior accordingly. Instead
of asking, “Do you use sign language?” say, “What’s the best way for you to communicate?”
3. Not all people with hearing loss feel the same way about their disability. Some might be very
proud of their hearing loss, while others consider their love of soccer or Dr. Who more essential
to their identity. Still others might not even want to talk about their hearing loss at all.
4. Keep these in mind when talking to a person with hearing loss. They might seem like really
minor things, but they make a world of difference!
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Face the person directly, on the same level, and in good light. Make sure the light shines
on your face, not in the listener’s eyes!
Don’t cover your face, chew gum, smoke, or speak with your mouth full.
Speak clearly and distinctly, but naturally and at a normal pace, without shouting or
exaggerating mouth movements.
Use body language and facial expression to provide visual cues. Get eye contact first
Minimize background noise or move to quieter spaces.
In a group setting, take turns speaking and avoid interrupting others.
Give clues when changing subjects in a conversation or say “new subject.”
If the person is with someone else, talk to them directly, not about them to their
companion.
Stay patient, relaxed, and positive. Don’t get embarrassed, tense, or annoyed.
The absolute worst thing you can say to a person with hearing loss is “Never mind!”
What you just said might not seem especially important, but it means everything to the
person with hearing loss to be able to follow the conversation.
i
"Those of Us DisLabeled: A Guide to Awareness and Understanding", University of Kentucky Human Development Institute,
Cooperative Extension Service.
ii 2009 CDC EHDI Hearing Screening & Follow-up Survey (HSFS). http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/hearingloss/2009data/2009_ehdi_hsfs_summary_508_ok.pdf
iii Lin FR, Niparko JK, Ferrucci L. Hearing loss prevalence in the United States. Arch Intern Med. 2011;171:1851–1852.
iv Mitchell, R. E., & Karchmer, M. A. (2004). When parents are deaf versus hard of hearing: Patterns of sign use and
school placement of deaf and hard-of-hearing children. Journal of deaf studies and deaf education, 9(2), 133-152.
v "Those of Us DisLabeled: A Guide to Awareness and Understanding", University of Kentucky Human Development Institute,
Cooperative Extension Service.
Partners for Youth with Disabilities
617-556-4075
www.pyd.org