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Classification of hearing loss:
I. Classification based on localization.
It is not always possible to localize the decrease of hearing.
1. Conductive hearing loss.
The ducts are damaged, often after infections, physical injuries or as a result of taking medicines.
Decrease of hearing even up to 60 Db.
2. Receiving hearing loss.
Damage of middle ear. The process of changing vibrations into neural impulses is disturbed. Rubella
may be the cause. Deep loss of hearing may occur.
3. Mixed hearing loss.
Conducting and receiving are disturbed.
4. Central loss of hearing.
Damage of cerebral areas.
II. Classification based on the time of occurrence.
Lingua – language
Linguistics – language studies
1. Prelingual deafness – before learning how to speak
2. Interlingual deafness – occurred at the age of 2 or 3. A child knows the basis of the language, but
does not know grammar rules.
3. Postlingual deafness – occurred after learning how to speak.
MEDICAL PROBLEMS CONNECTED WITH THE LOSS OF HEARING:
1. Early diagnose is of utmost importance!
Only then can we prevent problems which are going to occur if the child is not exposed to language.
It is recommended to observe the child, as the sounds it produces may be cooing.
A deaf child coos, not babbles.
Deaf, mentally handicapped children coo up to the age of 18-23 months.
2. The necessity of medical or surgical intervention.
Babies often have ear, nose or pharynx infections caused by bacteria or viruses, what leads to
inflammations or loss of hearing.
Infections should be treated immediately and carefully.
If the baby is born with blocked hearing ducts, a surgical operation is necessary.
3. Using of hearing aids.
Hearing aids appeared in 20th century. At the beginning they were the size of a table, then they fitted
into a suitcase, and finally they reached pocket-size.
Nowadays they are tiny and they fit into an ear. Their amplifying range is set individually (from 30 to
60 Db). Early introducing of hearing aids is necessary – at the age of 1.
Using of hearing aids compensates the loss of hearing, also it helps in developing speech ability (if the
loss is not very deep).
4. Cochlea implant.
It is an electronic prosthesis placed in cochlea. Modern implants have 20 electrodes (older ones have
8). Can be implanted to children as young as 6 months. 20 levels of sound amplifying.
5. Hearing loss of old age.
Ageing muscles inside the ears become flabby, causing the loss of hearing. It is very common.
6. The line between deafness and hard of hearing.
It is the access to language and the ability of learning it in a natural way using a hearing aid. 70 Db is
the limit.
7. Definition problems.
BIAP – International Bureau for Audiophonology recommends using the term “hard of hearing” as
other terms can be perceived as offensive.
Causes of deafness:
1. Genetic
Genes inherited recessively, predominantly in only 5%.
In 95% we are unable to determine if deafness occurs.
2. Non-genetic.
For example: medicaments, diseases, noise, physical injuries, radiation, etc.
SURDO – from latin “surdus” – deaf
MEDICINE – laryngology, neurology, phoniatry, audiology
PEDAGOGY – SURDOPEDAGOGY – deals with deaf people
Classification of people with damaged hearing:
Since 1993 we use the following terms: deaf and hard of hearing
1. Deaf – someone who cannot hear even with a hearing aid
2. Hard of hearing – someone who can hear in a limited way.
Hearing damage levels:
0. Normal - hearing decrease to 20 Db
1. Light - hearing decrease of 20-40 Db
2. Moderate - hearing decrease of 40-70 Db
3. Significant - hearing decrease of 70-90 Db
4. Deep - hearing decrease more than 90 Db
5. Complete deafness – more than 120 Db
SPEECH:
The lack of speech or sounds is living in a silent world.
Deaf people are unable to learn to speak by themselves, they have no control over their own voice,
so their speech becomes distorted. Often, the development of speech is delayed a few years. To
learn to speak, a deaf person has to practice with speech therapist. He or she should also learn how
to read people’s mouth and how to use sign language.
The speech and the thinking:
Distortion in speech development is connected with distortion in thinking development. Deaf people
who cannot speak have great difficulties with intellectual work, although their brain is intact. This is
because they cannot use “inner speech” as a tool of thinking. That is why deaf people rarely go to
universities and have problems at school. However, if they overcome their difficulties, it is possible
for them to continue their education, for example at the Gallaudet University in the USA.
Methods of teaching people with damaged hearing:
1. Oral – learning how to speak helps in learning how to think
2. Dactylological – finger alphabet’s version for the blind and the deaf
3. Oral-phonogesture method – Phonogestures support oral communication – gestures support
sounds. The way of arranging our hand (consonants) and its placement on our face (vowels).
4. Oral-signing method.
Sign language – language invented by deaf people. It has many varieties. In Poland we use Polish Sign
Language.
Current tendencies in working with the deaf:
1. Activisation of the remaining hearing abilities – the aim is learning how to speak and using hearing
aid.
2. Manual programmes – signs, gestures, phonogestures and dactylology
3. Total communication – communication in all its forms, as it is the basis for speech development.
- non-verbal communication, Bliss’ system, Makaton system – picture systems, body language,
pictures, pictograms – schematic pictures.
Sign language dictionary:
https://www.spreadthesign.com/pl/
https://www.spreadthesign.com/us/
https://www.spreadthesign.com/gb/