Download Visual Impairments & Deaf/Hard of Hearing

Deaf/Hard of Hearing
KNR 270
Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Hearing loss is one of the most common
disabilities of Americans



24 million
½ seniors have hearing loss
Causes




Congenital
Accident
Illness
Prolonged exposure to loud noises
Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Degree of loss




Mild: Loose some sounds
Moderate: Loose enough sounds to
impact understanding everyday
conversations
Severe: Not hear many sounds,
including speech
Profound: Inability to hear any sound

Dattilo, 2002
Deaf and Hard of Hearing



Deafness is when someone is
unable to understand speech
through ear alone, either with or
without hearing aids
Bilateral loss
May have impaired speech


Prelingual
Postlingual
Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Communication





American Sign Language
Signed English
Finger spelling
Oralism
Lip reading
Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Controversy


Inclusion
Cochlear implants
Deaf and Hard of Hearing

What number dial for relay service?

711
Considerations/Accommodations

Get attention before communication


Speak clearly




Tap, wave
Don’t over exaggerate words
Don’t cover lips or chew gum
Use facial expressions & hand
gestures
Position self
Considerations/Accommodations

Determined preferred
communication



Can use notes
Hire interpreter
Speak to person not interpreter
Considerations/Accommodations










Demonstrate
Present visually
Light but not glare
Assistive listening devices
Facilitate social interaction
Real time captioning
Closed captioning
TTY/relay service
Warning alerts
Others????