Hearing loss (deafness)
the definition
Hearing impairment is a disability category similar to deafness, but it is not the same.
The official definition of hearing loss by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is: Hearing loss, whether permanent or variable, It negatively affects the child’s educational performance but is not included within the definition of “deafness”.
Hearing loss above 90 dB is generally considered deafness. Which means that hearing loss of less than 90 decibels is classified as hearing loss.
the date
The first cases of hearing loss were discovered in skeletal remains dating back more than 10,000 years in Shanidar Cave in Iraqi Kurdistan. Archaeologists have found ear differences, which are bony growths in the ear canal that can cause conductive hearing loss.
Hearing loss in ancient Egypt: The oldest known written record of hearing loss is noted in the Papyrus (a medical journal dating from 1550 BC). The text describes the treatment of “the ear that hears poorly.”
Hearing loss in ancient Greece: In the early tenth century, both Plato and Aristotle talked about hearing loss. However, their comments in the context of what we understand about the hard of hearing and deaf community now seem useless and incorrect. They both noted that “the ability to think is essentially connected with the ability to speak.” This indicates that they believe that a person’s ability to hear is related to a lack of intelligence.
Hearing loss in Burgundy: Sign language is one of the best developed for the deaf and hard of hearing. Its origins go back to the monks of ancient Burgundy in the 10th century. The monks who adhered to the oath of silence created hand signs for communication that eventually became known as the Cluniac Sign Language. This non-verbal language spread through the monasteries of Europe, Many noted that language “would have been sufficient if they had lost the use of their tongues.” This was the inspiration for what eventually became modern sign language.
Early hearing aids from ear trumpets to microprocessors: Ear trumpets made from animal horns and iron plates were derived in the 17th century, They are the oldest form of hearing aids.
By the 18th century it was produced in large quantities. It was not until Alexander Graham Bell’s invention of the telephone in 1876 that inventors were able to incorporate this technology into the first amplified electronic hearing aids. In 1889, Miller Hutchison introduced the first electronic hearing aids.
Digital devices and beyond: The 1990s welcomed the first digital technology that continued to reduce the size of hearing aids while adding power and reducing feedback. Digital hearing aids continue to improve the ability to more specifically address individual hearing loss and hearing loss.
the reasons
The National Center for Children with Disabilities (NICHCY) explains that hearing loss falls into four subcategories:
1- Conductive hearing loss
2- Sensory hearing loss
3- Mixed hearing loss
4- Central hearing loss
The category of hearing impairment is determined according to the location of the impairment in the body where it occurred.
Hearing aids and other assistive technology (AT) often amplify sound for people with conductive hearing loss, The source of their weakness is from the external or middle ear.
This also does not apply to sensorineural, mixed, and central hearing loss. Because these disabilities originate from the inner ear, the central nervous system, or a combination of the two.
Hearing loss is usually classified as: (slight-moderate, moderate-severe or profound) depending on how well the individual is able to hear the frequencies normally associated with speech.
Symptoms
Children with hearing loss experience:
1- Limited or unclear speech.
2- Not following directions.
3- Inability to pay attention.
4- Hearing only parts of the conversation.
5- Requests to repeat information.
6- Inability to hear everyday sounds (the sound of the bell, for example).
7- Problems in learning.
treatment
There are techniques and treatments to help people with hearing loss or loss, Devices such as: hearing aids, Cochlear implants can improve hearing ability.
People with hearing loss also learn sign language and lip reading, which facilitates their communication process.