DefinitionsFederal definitions according to the National Center for Education Statistics (2002):
Causes/Treatments:Causes include by not limited to:
I. Conductive deafness- 1. Ear infections 2. Ear wax building up and blocking sounds from reaching the inner ear 3. Unequal air pressure in the ear (flying in an airplane, diving, driving on mountains) II. Sensorineural Deafness- 1.Tumors of the brain or inner ear 2. Concussion 3. Loud noises 4. Toxic effects of certain drugs 5. Various diseases (chicken pox, influenza, syphilis, arteriosclerosis, mumps, etc) There are currently no treatments for sensorineural deafness. As for conductive deafness, there are different treatments based on the cause. Surgery or antibiotics are the most common. For more information- Identification and Determination of EligibilityIn order for a student to be identified with deafness or hearing loss that significantly impacts their education, a multidisciplinary team meets to consider information that has been gathered about the student. The team decides whether the hearing loss constitutes a disability that requires providing special education services.
The following student characteristics, measured through formal tests, are often considered:
If the team determines that special education services are needed, an IEP is prepared and decisions are made regarding communication methods, the need for language support, and the educational setting in which services will be provided. |
Helpful Organization/Associations1. Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
2. American Academy of Audiology (AAA) 3. American Academy of Otolaryngology 4. American Cochlear Implant Alliance 5. American Society for Deaf Children 6. American Speech, Language, Hearing Association 7. National Association of the Deaf 8. Hearing Loss Association of America 9. Association of Late-Deafened Adults, Inc. 10. National Black Deaf Advocates For Additional Information on each organization/association: This is a story about a young boy Raymond and his parents dealing with his deafness. They also discuss the many positives of the Hearing Speech and Deafness Center.
Prevalence
Prevalence statistics come from the National Association of State Directors of Special Education (2006) and The U.S. Department of Education (2011) Evidence-Based Practices
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