1. Partial Hearing Loss and Deafness Lindsey Shonkwiler

2. What is partial hearing loss and deafness? Partial hearing loss is the impaired ability to hear sounds. It can be permanent or intermittent. Hearing loss is generally described as slight, mild, moderate, severe, or profound, depending upon how well a person can hear the intensities or frequencies most strongly associated with speech. Hearing loss affects not only verbal communication, but reading and language-based skills. Even with a hearing aid that is effective. *Hearing loss affects 12,000 children born in the United States each year, making it the most common sensory birth difference, often the cause is unknown.

3. Signs of a Hearing Loss or Deafness does not respond consistently to sounds or to his or her own name; asks for things to be repeated or often says “huh?” is delayed in developing speech or has unclear speech; turns the volume up loud on the TV and other electronic devices. (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, n.d.)American Speech-Language-Hearing Association The most common cause of acquired hearing loss is exposure to noise (Merck Manual’s Online Medical Library, 2007). Other causes can include:Merck Manual’s Online Medical Library build up of fluid behind the eardrum; ear infections (known as otitis media); childhood diseases, such as mumps, measles, or chicken pox; and head trauma.

4. What does that mean for families of children with hearing loss? Parents can ask for a hearing loss screening to find out if their baby is likely to have a hearing loss in the first few days after the baby is bornhearing loss screening even before they leave the hospital. Parents who suspect their child has a hearing loss can find out how their children’s language skills compare to the timeline for childhood language development.timeline for childhood language development http://agbell.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=759 They can also ask their pediatrician for a referral to an audiologist who can test for hearing loss.referral to an audiologisttest for hearing loss More than 90 percent of children diagnosed with hearing loss are born to parents who have typical hearing, so many families find themselves navigating unfamiliar territory. A variety of support services are available to families of children diagnosed with hearing loss.

5. Hearing Loss at School Obtain an Individualized Education for Your Child: A commitment to individualizing educational programming to fit the child's strengths and needs, including initial and ongoing assessment, goal-setting, and documentation of progress-all with parental involvement. Commit to Aggressive Audiological Management to Promote the Use of Residual Hearing: The education program, school or district will have immediate access to audiological services which must include periodic audiological testing, assurance that the student is wearing appropriate hearing aids and/or other assistive devices, teacher-parent education regarding the use of amplification, daily monitoring of hearing aids in the classroom, easy and fast access to minor repair services, and availability of batteries, loaner aids, and FM systems. Maximize the Development of Spoken Language: A commitment to helping children with hearing loss develop intelligible spoken language to the greatest extent possible. Provide Support and Guidance to Parents: A commitment to providing support to parents through constant communication from the program's leaders and staff. This should include information on all aspects of hearing loss, opportunities for parents to share feelings and experiences with other parents, and informing parents of their rights. Employ Superior Educational Staff: A commitment to hiring and retaining well-trained, well- supported, available staff. Teachers, audiologists and speech-language pathologists should have appropriate licensing and/or certification in their area of expertise. Offer Options in Educational Settings: A commitment to providing a range of available educational settings including: full-time regular class; full-time regular class with supportive services; part-time regular class/part-time special class; full-time special class in a regular school; full-time special class in a special school; residential/day school; home or hospital services.

6. Adhere to IDEA: A commitment to placement in one of the above settings that is in full compliance with all of the rules and regulations set forth by state law under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Provide Services to Parents and Families: A commitment to providing a range of support services; examples include: (a) audiology, (b) speech-language pathology, (c) sensory integration, physical and occupational therapy, (d) counseling services for students and families; (e) behavioral management, (f) social work services, (g) academic tutoring, (h) oral interpreting, (i) note takers, (j) career counseling (k) respite child care and iI) coordinated services from other agencies, if needed. Offer a Curriculum Mirroring (as closely as possible) the Mainstream Classroom: If the child is not enrolled in a regular classroom, a commitment to teaching a curriculum that is similar to that presented in the regular classroom Ensure an Environment that Fosters Learning: A commitment to ensuring a physical environment conducive to listening and speech reading. That environment should be quiet, acoustically favorable, well-lit and equipped with assistive listening devices. Select Informed and Sensitive Teachers in Mainstream Settings: If a child is in the regular classroom, a commitment to providing teachers with a thorough orientation in working with children with hearing loss, and to offering teachers with assistance from, and access to, specialists in the field.

7. Sources www.agbell.org http://www.nichcy.org/disabilities/specific/pages/deafnessandhearingloss.as px Understanding Special Education by Scholastic