People who experience hearing loss
People experience hearing loss for different reasons. Some common reasons include:
- Problems that happen before, during or immediately after birth
- Ear diseases such as:
- Infections from measles, mumps, meningitis
- Ушные инфекции
- Ear problems such as a blocked ear from ear wax
- Age related hearing loss
- Hearing damage, for example from working in noisy environments
- Hearing damage due to some medicines or chemicals.
Impact of hearing loss
Hearing loss affects people in many ways.
Children with hearing loss
Babies and children need to hear the sounds of speech so they can develop listening and spoken language skills.
Parents of children with hearing loss may notice their child:
- Is not responding to sounds
- Has poor or delayed speech development.
Hearing loss should be identified and managed early. If not identified early, children may experience difficulties:
- At home
- In school
- With friends
- With learning.
Вопрос
Meet Suhaila
Suhaila is two years old and lives with her mother, father, and their dog.
Suhaila was born Deaf and has severe hearing loss in both ears.
She does not respond and look when her dog barks. She has not started to say any words.
Why may Suhaila be experiencing hearing loss?
Выберите один ответ.
If you selected a, you are correct!
Suhaila was born Deaf.
Совет
A person with severe hearing loss may also benefit from referral to other rehabilitation services for different ways to support their communication. Examples include lip reading and use of sign language.
Children with hearing loss may have difficulty learning at school.
If a parent does not know their child has hearing loss, they may say their child is not doing well at school or not paying attention.
Вопрос
Познакомьтесь с Патриком
Patryk is six years old and goes to school. Patryk has had repeated ear infections.
He can hear but misses words or parts of words. He often does not understand what the teacher says in class. Patryk finds it especially difficult to hear when the teacher faces away or when he sits at the back of the classroom.
Patryk finds it difficult to learn and is falling behind at school.
1. Is Patryk Deaf?
Выберите один ответ.
Правильный ответ – "Нет"!
Patryk is hard of hearing and has difficulty following conversations.
2. Why may Patryk be experiencing hearing loss?
Выберите один ответ.
Если вы выбрали ответ b, то вы правы!
Patryk has experienced repeated ear infections. Ear problems can cause hearing loss.
3. How is hearing loss affecting Patryk at school?
Выберите всё, что применимо.
All are correct!
Hearing loss is affecting Patryk’s learning, participation, and enjoyment of school.
Social isolation
A person with hearing loss may have difficulty following conversations and may start to avoid family or social gatherings.
People with hearing loss may experience social isolation.
Regular hearing tests to identify and manage hearing loss early are important.
Вопрос
Meet Malicka
Malicka is 70 years old and a grandmother who lives with her family. She has hearing loss and finds it difficult to understand what her family are saying. Malicka finds it especially difficult when her family all speak together or when there is music playing.
Sometimes Malicka stays in her room when her family are having ‘fun’. This can make her feel lonely.
Why may Malicka be experiencing hearing loss?
Выберите один ответ.
Если вы выбрали ответ c, вы правы!
Malicka is hard of hearing. This is likely due to age related hearing loss.
Gradual hearing loss
A person may slowly lose their ability to hear over time. This is called gradual hearing loss.
If a person experiences gradual hearing loss, it may be relatives or friends who notice the person is not hearing well or talking louder than usual.
Вопрос
Meet John
John retired after working in a noisy factory for 34 years. At home he often turns up the television volume. He often does not hear his wife Mary when she asks him a question.
John complains that people speak softly in noisy environments. This makes it difficult for him to hear when they speak.
Why may John be experiencing hearing loss?
Выберите один ответ.
Если вы выбрали ответ d, то вы правы!
John worked in a noisy factory over a long period of time. It is likely that John’s hearing was damaged.
Внимание
Loud noise can damage hearing. This can cause hearing loss and buzzing or ringing sound in your ears. Always protect your ears from loud sounds with earplugs or other ear protection.
Размышление
Do you know anyone who:
- Needs words or sentences repeating often during a conversation
- Has difficulty following conversation even in quiet rooms
- Listens to the television or radio at high volumes
- Answers inappropriately in conversations.
If the answer to any of the above is yes, these are signs of possible hearing loss.