Hearing Impairments

Types of Hearing Loss

*   Conductive - Usually caused by things like wax in the ears which prevent the proper movement of sound through the inner ear. This is one of the easiest types to treat.

*   Sensorineural - Involves the inner ear or the nerve cells. Can be treated with hearing aids or cochlear implants in most cases.

*   Mixed - Both a conductive and a sensorineural loss.

Degrees of Hearing Loss

*   Mild hearing loss can be serious for children still learning to talk.

*   Moderate - At 46-65 db, more difficulty hearing speech.

*   Severe - At 66-85 db, a lot of difficulty hearing speech. It is at this level that we begin to use the term "deaf."

*   Profound - Anything over 85 db. With this level of hearing loss, hearing aids may or may not help; cochlear implants are often an option.

Causes of Hearing Loss

1. Meniere's disease: A disorder of the inner ear affecting balance and hearing, characterized by abnormal sensation of movement (vertigo), dizziness, loss of hearing in one or both ears, and noises or ringing in the ear (tinnitus)." Suspected causes include ear infection and head injury. Children may get Meniere’s disease, but it is usually adults in their mid 30’s. For more information, go to www.menieres.org and

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/menieres-disease/DS00535

2. Meningitis: An inflammation of the membranes  surrounding your brain and spinal cord, usually due to the spread of an infection. The complications of meningitis can lead to deafness. For more information go to

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/meningitis/DS00118

3. Genetic deafness: As much as half of deafness may have a genetic cause. For more information on hearing loss go to:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hearing-loss/DS00172/DSECTION=3

For information about serving customers with Hearing loss visit: www.chemeketa.edu/wso/hearing.html

Updated May 21, 2008 by Sheila Johnson, Disability Program Navigator