There are different words used to refer to people who have a hearing loss.

• Hearing impairment refers to any degree of loss, great or small.
• Deaf refers only to those who have a profound hearing loss, or no hearing loss at all.
• Hard of hearing refers to those who have severe hearing loss, but not as profound as a person who is deaf.

There are Three Different Types of Hearing Loss

• Conductive losses are from damage to or blockage in the ear canal or middle ear.
• caused by. wax build-up, inserting objects, abnormal growth, fluid from infection, disease or head trauma ~ can be temporary or permanent damage.
• Sensorineural are from damage to the inner ear (cochlea) or a nerve.
• caused by. overexposure to loud noise, exposure to ototoxic medications, inheritance, disease or head trauma ~ permanent damage.
• Mixed losses are a combination of damage to the ear canal or middle ear and damage to the cochlea or nerve.

Noise Induced Hearing Loss

• caused by: one-time exposure to an extremely loud sound,  repeated  exposure to sounds at hazardous loudness levels.
• examples:  musical instruments (120 dB), sporting events (100 dB)

Signs of Hearing Impairment

• frequently says "What?" or asks the speaker to "talk louder."
• frequently needs information repeated
• has difficulty following simple directions or conversation
• speaks very loudly when interacting
• withdraws from activities or conversation
• appears frustrated or confused
• complains of ringing, pain, or discomfort in ear(s)
• listens to television or music loudly
• notices when using the phone that hearing is better with one ear than the other

* Of course children demonstrate many of these qualities on a regular basis, however, if there is evidence of more than 4 qualities present, the child should be referred for a hearing exam.

Ideas to use in the Classroom

• Study about anatomy of the ear and how it works
• discuss noise levels and how they can damage hearing
• teach how they can protect their ears from noise damage
• use earplugs or cotton to experience a hearing loss
• show students a sound level meter, have them test different sound levels around the school

http://www.earaces.com/glossary.htm