DISCLAIMER
DISCLAIMER
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It is critical to know and understand that although hearing assistive technology (hearing aids, cochlear implants, etc..) can be helpful. It DOES NOT make you or your child hearing, nor does it ensure complete access to auditory based languages (e.g. Spoken English).
Full Credit goes to @Blakelyn_Leigh on TikTok - https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMRkaAP5Y
Is this you (or your child)?
Is this you (or your child)?
Do you Smile? Nod? Watch carefully and see laughter so you pretend to laugh. Make guesses to what people are saying? Use scripts to make educated guesses? Don't settle for less than equal access to hearing peers. I mean hearing people do this too, but not as often. It is EXTREMELY important that your education is as close to 100% as possible!
Really, anything less than equal access (to everyone else) isn't good enough. Don't settle for less than everything. P.S. Don't assume that a mild hearing level means it's a mild impact...
You need to know that Even a "mild" hearing level can have a huge impact.
You need to know that Even a "mild" hearing level can have a huge impact.
WATCH THIS VIDEO! It's worth it (and only about 5 minutes) - Mild hearing loss even with a hearing aid, is NOT the same as normal hearing.
Clearly it's more than being able to HEAR a sound...
Clearly it's more than being able to HEAR a sound...
It's about being able to process that sound and the brain's ability to understand it. Regardless of what kind of hearing technology is being used. Some kids do really well with hearing aids and cochlear implants, where as, others get little to no benefit. Auditory access, in Deaf (or Hard of Hearing students), does not guarantee benefit and receptive access to auditory languages - e.g. Spoken English.
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It's important that you can understand everything that's happening around you! What you're friends/peers are saying, as well as what your teacher is saying (really that applies to anyone you want to have a conversation with).
Do you use a mic or direct input? Do you use an interpreter or cued language transliterator? captioning? How are you making sure you have access to everything with the least amount of effort required. What accommodations do you use?
Before we dig into Self-Advocacy, we need to dive deeper into what you can or can't hear and what that means.
How does the Ear Work?
How does the Ear Work?
Do you (or does your child) struggle hearing?
Do you (or does your child) struggle hearing?
Perhaps it's difficult to hear when there is music in the background? Perhaps it's difficult to hear from across the room. You may even find it's difficult to hear when you can't see the person talking. OR perhaps you've known since birth that you have a hearing threshold that doesn't land in the expected zone during testing. If you haven't make an appointment with an ENT or Audiologist (a pediatric audiologist is best for a child). If you're in Indiana, USA here is a list of Audiologists that should be able to help.
Once you've been to the audiologist, ask for a copy of your audiogram and come back here to figure out what it means. If you're hearing levels fall in the "normal" range and you're still struggling to hear, please reach out to someone that specializes in Auditory Processing Disorders, like Dr. Rae Stout. There is more to 'hearing' information, it's also about how the brain processes that information.
If you already have a diagnosed hearing loss and don't receive services from a Teacher of the Deaf/ School, PLEASE contact the school system and request an evaluation (in writing ASAP)
What is an Audiogram?
What is an Audiogram?
An audiogram is a document that shows how loud a sound needs to be in order for you to access that sound. It does NOT indicate the clarity of the sound or the brains ability to process that sound.
For more information about each hearing level explore the embedded links. Click on the picture (or text below) for information on how each level of hearing impacts your access.
Normal Hearing: -10dB - 15dB is considered within normal limits for a child learning language.
Minimal Hearing Loss: 15dB-30dB this is a boarderline, hearing loss, typically recognized by pediatric audiologists. Some audiologists would say this is still 'within normal limits' but if you're child is delayed with their language skills or seems to be struggling academically this could be why.
Mild Hearing Loss - a mild hearing loss, is not in fact a mild concern. at this level a child can miss 50% of auditory information. Don't let the name fool you. Hearing Assistive technology (e.g. hearing aids) will likely help! Don't assume you're child is hearing clearly or that they are ignorming you. ASL would only help!
Moderate Hearing Loss - a moderate hearing loss is a BIG deal. This means without hearing assistive technology your child misses most if not all auditory information. They may 'hear' that you're speaking but not understand. They also often fool you in their guessing skills. Moderate hearing loss is a REALLY big deal. Hearing technology may be helpful, but it doesn't cure the hearing. Definately recommend ASL and/or Cued Language.
From here and below, auditory languages will not be easily accessed, even with hearing aids or other hearing assistive technology. Learning ASL and/or Cued Language should be required to ensure we don't accidently deprive a growing child's brain of language.
Moderately-Severe Hearing
Severe Hearing Loss - Cochlear implants are occasionally recommended if the hearing level seems to be progressive.
Profound Hearing Loss - at this level a cochlear implant may be recommended by your audiologist.
These types of hearing can vary greatly depending on the person greatly. However, people often try to make it less impacting or less about the hearing loss, but that's not true. Hearing bits and pieces can often be worse, because people assume he/she can hear just fine.
Reverse Slope Hearing Loss- typically a level of loss in the low frequencies could be minimal to profound sloping up in the high frequencies. This impacts the ability to hear a lot of consonants at a minimal. Really impacts hearing the beginning and/or endings of words. May hear women's voices more clearly.
High Frequency Hearing Loss - typically a level of loss in the high frequencies could be minimal to profound. Often better hearing better in the lower frequences. In short, word endings and vowel sounds tend to be become very similar. Words like cat, calf, and calm all become ca- or may miss parts of the sounds.
Unilateral Hearing Loss- one ear, does not necessarily mean a lesser impact. Unilateral hearing for some kids doesn't seem to bother them at all, but for others it can have a tramendous impact on learning language and greatly impacts comprehension.
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