 Students may have Poor Academic Performance due to Hearing Loss
Do you have a student who is struggling in class? Do they interfere during class and have a hard time concentrating? Hearing loss is usually left out as a culpable reason for these struggles. Hearing loss, no matter how mild, can impact a student’s academic achievements. Hearing loss is just as common in adults, as it is in children. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that approximately 15% of children who are between the ages of 6-19 experience low or high-frequency hearing loss of at least 16-decibels in one or both ears. Research has indicated nearly 35% of adolescents with equal ranges of unilateral hearing loss are at risk of failing a grade level in school. Your child may have hearing loss, if they exhibit any of the following behaviors:
When it comes to hearing loss, it is important to seek guidance and treatment from a professional. Students who experience mild to moderate hearing loss, and do not get treatment, will not be able to keep up with their peers by one to four grade levels. Students with more severe hearing loss that goes untreated, usually do not achieve beyond levels of the third grade. Learning and Hearing Loss Being able to hear is very important in the developing stages of communication, language, and speech. Hearing problems can slow down a student’s progress while learning, which results in unsatisfactory academic performance. Subjects that revolve around language might be the most difficult for students who have hearing loss. It can be difficult to follow assignments that require learning a language, especially if you cannot hear high-frequency consonants such as ch, f, k, p, s, sh, t, and th sounds. Actively participating in conversations is difficult with hearing loss. The inability to properly communicate with others can be discouraging and complicated for a child with hearing loss - and their peers - to understand. This can lead to isolation and depression. Oftentimes, these children cannot catch up to their peers when it comes to socializing in a mature manner, which can make them feel out of place. Studies indicate early intervention, and treatment for hearing loss can improve a child’s academics and social life. A study from 2015 showed that adolescents who had severe hearing loss generally had lower scores than their peers with normal hearing. Children with hearing loss, who received treatment with hearing aids or cochlear implants, and more involvement from their parents had better results. If you or a child in your family experience hearing loss contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a hearing test and consultation.
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 Hearing loss can impact anyone, of any age. Here’s a list that we have compiled to highlight hearing loss among children and tips on how to help them.
Hearing Loss and Your Child’s Academic Performance Hybrid Learning & Hearing Loss Hearing Loss: Children’s Toys Does Your Child have Unilateral Hearing Loss? If you have Mild to Moderate Hearing Loss, why should You Immediately Address It? Children and Adolescents with Hearing Loss can Experience Friendship and Loneliness 5 Tips to Assist a Child With Hearing Loss What is Turner Syndrome? How is it related to Hearing Loss? 5 Tips to use when Teaching Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Students During COVID-19 Are You a Family who is in Need of Support for a Child’s Hearing Loss Journey? What can Parents do to Protect Their Children’s Hearing Health When Frequently Using Headphones? If you have a child, or grandchild, who is experiencing hearing loss, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists.  Continuing Coverage on Hearing Care for All
As mentioned in one of our previous blog posts, the 2021 theme for World Hearing Day is Hearing Care for All. The report, which was initiated by the World Health Organization (WHO), will present a consistent account of hearing loss, ear, and hearing healthcare, based on the best and latest evidence available. It will also outline the changes in epidemiological distribution of hearing loss worldwide, while implementing the finest practices and priorities associated with ear and hearing healthcare. The study allows hearing healthcare providers to organize the connection between addressing hearing loss and taking on Sustainable Development Goals - particularly goals that relate to ending poverty, secure people’s health and well-being, improve educational opportunities, and advocating for employment opportunities. The information that was published is expected to spark a global partnership and guide Member States on measures for making ear and hearing care available in other countries. This summary can guide public health goals to address hearing healthcare through advocacy, and incorporating ear and hearing care into health plans nationwide. The report is being developed with experts in the field of ear and hearing care. They will advise the outlined goals and make sure it corresponds with the various cultures and methods to hearing care. The report is anticipated to reach people around the world while concentrating on low and middle-income countries. These areas are where those with hearing loss have the fewest resources and services. If you, or a loved one, are experiencing hearing loss, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a free hearing test and consultation. We offer a variety of hearing aids and services for a wide range of hearing loss.  World Hearing Day 2021 launches The World Report on Hearing. This is a global advocacy group that demands action to address hearing loss and ear diseases.
This year’s theme is: Hearing care for ALL! Screen. Rehabilitate. Communicate. Their main message is to target: Policymakers
General public
Hopefully, this World Hearing Day will encourage and remind everyone to care for their hearing health and the hearing health of their loved ones. If you, or a loved one, are experiencing hearing loss, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a free hearing test and consultation. We offer a variety of hearing aid brands and styles for people of every age.  Based on data collected from academic studies, laboratory settings, parents, teachers, and children who experience unilateral hearing loss (UHL), it has become clear that this type of hearing loss raises the risk of children having psychoeducational difficulties and other obstacles that are associated with it.
Studies conducted within the past several decades has led to learning more about the impact that UHL has on children. One of the earliest studies that help foster this research showed that children who experience permanent UHL are much more likely to have academic and behavioral problems than their peers who had healthy hearing abilities. Children with UHL are at a higher risk of having problems with speech and language, cognitive function, and balance than their peers with normal hearing. About 50% of children with UHL have been shown to have academic difficulties that would require tutoring or therapy. General Information on UHL There are different degrees of UHL in children. UHL is any amount of hearing loss in the impaired ear with average air-conduction thresholds in the normal hearing ear (≤15 dB of hearing loss). Profound unilateral hearing loss is also known as single-sided deafness (SSD). This term implies that there is profound hearing loss in one ear and/or significantly poor ability in speech perception, which restricts the use of that ear. In this article, the term UHL will be used to represent all degrees of UHL, unless noted otherwise. Early studies showed that the majority of children who had UHL were identified when they were 4 to 6 years of age, or when they started attending school. In recent years, approximately 97% of infants that were born in the U.S. have been screened for hearing loss shortly after being born. About 1 in 1,000 are diagnosed with UHL. This makes up 43% of children who have UHL and are identified with hearing loss before they reach 6 months of age. When children reach school age, the pervasiveness rises to about 3 to 6 per 100 and 14 per 100 when they are adolescents. The increase in how common hearing loss is among those between the newborn period and school-age period could be due to progressive or late onset of hearing loss, and the undetected minimal or mild degrees of UHL because newborn screenings are not designed to detect those types of hearing loss. The cause of UHL is still unknown. Among 31-54% of children with UHL, there are no risk or correlated factors identified. Studies have indicated that UHL may become progressive and bilateral hearing loss (hearing loss in both ears) could develop in 7-11% of cases. Therefore, it’s important to monitor the hearing health of individuals with UHL. What are the possible impacts of UHL? The immediate repercussions of UHL are losing binaural function. This can make it harder to identify speech sounds while there’s background noise and it may also be difficult to determine where sounds are emanating from. The loss of interaural time and level differences can lead to safety concerns for children with UHL who rely on cues to navigate the streets. Also, failing to identify the source of a speaker will most likely delay contact with relevant visual cues that improve perception in speech. The lack of binaural cues, like binaural suppression, can adversely affect the ability to comprehend speech when there is too much background noise. This may interfere with how you socially interact with others and impact language acquisition and learning. As previously mentioned, in the early 1980s and 1990s, research studies that had been published indicated that approximately 50% of children who had UHL, failed a grade in school or needed resource assistance. This revealed that they were about 10 times more likely than their normal-hearing peers to be unsuccessful in their academics. The more severe a child’s UHL is, the more likely they are to struggle with listening and learning. Several analysts determined that having hearing loss in the right ear is more harmful to a person’s academic achievement than experiencing hearing loss in the left ear. Other studies found that there were no ear-specific differences in language measures. There has been evidence that indicates that children who experience bilateral hearing loss use up more energy to listen. This leads to concentration and listening fatigue. There is currently limited data based on listening effort and fatigue in children with UHL, but there have been self-reports of fatigue in children who have hearing loss versus children who do not have a hearing impairment. There was not, however, a link between the degree of hearing loss and a rating on fatigue. It is plausible that children with UHL would be prone to listening-fatigue. Children who use and sustain their energy to listen during class may have less energy to think of questions, respond with an answer, take less accurate notes, etc. Managing Your Child’s Hearing Needs In addition to many hearing aid device options, there are other ways to manage the hearing needs of a child with UHL. A hearing healthcare professional can provide a practical survey or questionnaire to recognize and determine specific risks that are of concern such as localization, difficulties with listening, and educational achievements. The Vanderbilt Fatigue Scale is a tool that will soon be available for measuring and listening-related fatigue in children. If you, or a loved one, are experiencing hearing loss, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a free hearing test and consultation. We offer a variety of hearing aid styles and brands for people of all ages. Please be aware that Pure Sound services will only be available by appointment and for essential visits at this time. Essential visits include all appointments that require new hearing aid fittings, repairs, and re-fittings. We will be offering curbside services. If you are visiting us for a repair, we ask that you please wait in your car, while wearing your mask, and place your hearing aids in a clean zip lock bag. A staff member will come to your car to get them. If you are having any issues with your hearing aids, or an assistive listening device, please contact us before visiting one of our office locations.  Hearing loss can be caused by a number of factors. It’s important to note that adults are not the only people who are at risk. About 15 percent of adolescents from the ages of six to 19 experience hearing loss in at least one ear. If a child’s hearing loss goes untreated, it can negatively impact their reading abilities, social skills and performance in school. Even mild hearing loss can lead to missing up to 50 percent of class lessons and discussions. Parents need to be aware of hearing loss in their children and how to properly treat it.
Hearing Loss due to Environmental Factors According to the CDC, 25 percent of hearing loss in children is caused by their environment. The toys that they play with can surpass the 85 dB threshold that is deemed as safe a noise level. Also, children are curious and have a tendency to hold things like speakers up to their ears. The holidays have passed, and your children or grandchildren now have a surplus of toys to play with. You can find out whether a toy surpasses the 85 dB threshold by using a decibel reading app. Some popular toys and their noise levels have been tested. Here’s a list of the Top 15 Noisiest Toys:
If any of these toys were given to your children or grandchildren, consider returning and replacing them with a quieter toy. If you, or a loved one, are experiencing hearing loss and need hearing aids, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a free hearing test and free hearing aid trial.  Today, more and more students are now attending classes in-person, virtually online, or they are engaging in hybrid learning. Students with hearing loss, auditory processing disorders, and/or deafness face challenges in any class setting.
How can Teachers and Students Prepare? Students who are hard of hearing may need additional accommodations to effectively learn in-person or virtually. This extra support must be planned out. Practice your lesson plan before carrying them out with students. Test out your video conferencing tools to make sure that it runs smoothly and provides closed captions. Programs such as Google and Microsoft feature real-time captioning, which helps listeners follow along. All of your students should be provided with access to notes, classwork, and study guides before the class begins. This will give them a chance to briefly review the material. Learning some information about the topic before class can help students with hearing loss stay on track. Another tip is to give students time to chat with each other before class begins. This will give the hard of hearing student a chance to make adjustments to their audio/video if needed. Make Good Use of Visual Aids Whether a student has hearing loss or not, a room that is too dark can hinder the ability to effectively communicate. People with hearing loss rely on visual cues, such as facial expressions and hand gestures, to piece a conversation together. Be sure to have lighting in front of your face, instead of behind them as to prevent shadows. If possible, use a clear mask to allow students to read lips and visual cues. Exercise and encourage your students to practice good communication skills. This would include:
Utilize Assistive Listening Devices in the Classroom Speaking louder is now necessary due to social distancing. Sound systems are helpful to provide easier ways to communicate inside the classroom so that instructors don’t need to constantly shout. Students with hearing aids will appreciate the boost in volume without struggling to hear. Teachers and students who have hearing loss may use devices such as the Roger Select TM Microphone. This table microphone can be used to pick up a speakers’ voice. Remote microphones, which can be connected to hearing aids, can stream sounds directly into compatible hearing aids. If you, or a loved one, are experiencing hearing loss, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a free hearing test and consultation. We offer a variety of hearing aids and the Roger Select TM Microphone. Contact us for a free trial.  Hearing loss is common among Americans, so there’s a good chance that you know someone who has difficulty with their hearing.
Poor hearing has been linked to adverse physical, psychological, and social well-being. These conditions can become more prominent during the holidays, and even more so during COVID. Christmas and the holiday season can give you a great chance to provide or receive a very purposeful gift. Here are some gift ideas for the person in your life who experiences hearing loss:
Give the gift of hearing to someone special, by supporting small businesses like Pure Sound Hearing. If you have questions about any hearing aid supplies, accessories, or gift certificates, contact us at Pure Sound. If you, or a loved one, are in need of hearing aids contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test and consultation.  Think about past conversations you’ve had or lectures that you’ve listened to, where you could only hear some parts. Did you feel your heart racing in these situations? Were you nervous that someone was going to ask you a question?
Rather than letting the person who is speaking know that you have difficulty hearing them because you can hear, for the most part, you may concentrate harder and manage to piece together the message. Initially, it may not seem serious, but what if this is how you hear information in every single conversation or lecture throughout your life? It is going to affect the way you engage with others and process information given to you. The Inability to Recognize Mild to Moderate Hearing Loss Mild hearing loss may go unnoticed for years, which makes it seem less serious. As a result, it can cause confusion for the speaker and the listener. The listener may be able to hear sound and speech, but might not be understanding the main message. Mild to moderate hearing loss suggests that there is little to no risk for a person, but every range of hearing loss can cause serious issues. In some instances, excuses like blaming others for mumbling or not fully paying attention to what was said may be used instead of considering one’s own hearing inabilities. Socializing with others is Impacted Whenever a person with hearing loss socializes with others, it brings up the risk of missing what is being said during conversations. A mild hearing loss won’t initially affect you. When it’s left untreated, you may notice that you will slowly withdraw from social settings. How Mild to Moderate Hearing Loss affects the Brain Everyone has a working memory, which is essentially a sketchpad in your brain that briefly collects information as the brain processes thoughts. Specific parts of working memory manage different stimuli. One area of the brain holds sounds. This is known as auditory working memory (AWM). Those who suffer from mild to moderate hearing loss have a weakened AWM. This affects a person’s capability to distinguish speech sounds, and without equal access to language and education, this can lead to learning disorders. If the ears are not properly stimulated during the early stages of a child’s development, their AWM will be diminished. If one ear receives less stimulation, it can affect how the brain processes sound from that ear. If a person cannot hear with both ears, part of the brain that processes sound will shrink or stop growing. Listening Exhaustion There are a lot of misconceptions when it comes to those who are hard of hearing. Their ability to hear can vary, based on the situation. Background noises, or the distance between them and the person who they are interacting with, can make it difficult to hear. They might only be able to temporarily hear. They work harder to comprehend what is being said, which can cause them to become exhausted and mentally drained. This makes it harder to piece a conversation together, and they may be too tired to engage in the discussion. The Effect on Children Children who have a hearing impairment may have an even harder time communicating because they are still in the process of learning languages. A study found that children are more likely to imitate their peers, even if they do not understand what is happening. Unfortunately, this can make things more difficult for teachers to associate the child’s behavior with their hearing loss. All teachers should have an IEP (Individualized Education Program) Plan for every range of hearing loss. An itinerant teacher can help out with anything that the student is having difficulty with, make sure that they are wearing and using their hearing aids, and set up an FM system for them. Get help with Hearing Aids Most people who have hearing loss suffer from a mild range of loss. Any level of hearing loss can benefit from hearing aids. It would be helpful to wear them in order to clearly understand language. This will help reduce how much effort is exerted while having a simple conversation or when understanding instructions. If you, or a loved one, are in need of hearing aids, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a free hearing test and consultation. Whether you have mild, moderate, or severe hearing loss, we offer a variety of hearing aids for your individual needs.  Studies in Children Who use Hearing Aids
In a study on children with hearing loss, there have been significant improvements in speech production, speech perception and language skills for those who have consistent listening experiences and properly fit hearing aids. The study showed the communication abilities of children who had hearing loss was far behind those who had healthy hearing. Adolescents who have hearing loss encounter difficulties while in a social environment. There have been instances of practical shortcomings, and more peer related issues than same-age peers who have healthy hearing. In the past, children and adolescents with hearing loss have not been easily accepted by their peers and faced higher rates of bullying, social isolation, and loneliness compared to those with normal hearing abilities. They have also been less likely to make friends and keep them, compared to their hearing peers. These unsuccessful interactions with peers have a short-term and long-term effect on their mental health and social life. Some studies concluded that children and adolescents who are socially isolated and lonely, are those who may or may not use a hearing aid. Many of these studies were based on older generations of children who had hearing loss, not modern groups of children who were able to have their hearing loss identified at an early age and whose parents sought intervention. Communication Improvements in Children who use Hearing Aids Early hearing loss detection and treatment offered hope for better communication in children with hearing loss. This included better speech production, speech perception, speech intelligibility, and language acquisition. These skills of developed communication - especially speech intelligibility and language acquisition - guide the foundation of social relationships with peers, particularly those with normal hearing. Social interactions with peers determines the psychological well-being and quality of life across one’s lifespan. If you have a child, or grandchild, who is experiencing hearing loss, contact us at Pure Sound for a consultation. Please be aware that Pure Sound services will only be available by appointment and for essential visits at this time. Essential visits include all appointments that require repairs, re-fittings and new hearing aid fittings. If you are having any issues with your hearing aids, or need supplies for your hearing aids, please call us before stopping in at one of our office locations.  There are some additional obstacles for children who have hearing loss. These issues do not need to inhibit their communication and learning abilities. Getting the proper help and services will allow children to acquire the same skills and attain the same achievements as their peers.
Here are some things you can do to help these kids: 1. Get Treatment as soon as Possible Early intervention and treatment are vital for children who have hearing loss. An infant’s brain rapidly develops, so it’s crucial to stimulate these sound pathways as soon as possible. Children who encounter sounds at an early age are more prone to develop in learning at the same rate as other kids who are their age. It is never too early to seek treatment. Children who have profound hearing loss, and get help for their hearing can catch up with their peers by age 5 or 6 if they get hearing aids by the time they are 1-year-old or 2-years-old. 2. Use Services that Provide Early Intervention Approximately 95% of parents whose children have hearing loss do not suffer from any hearing impairment. There is so much information that needs to be studied in regard to how their child lives with hearing loss and how to get treatment. An early intervention program can help you organize the assistance that your child needs. Infants who have hearing loss should have one as quickly as possible. A program should be available at your local public school or hospital. Early intervention can give your family the support that is needed and recommend methods to help your child stay on track when learning language and speech. 3. Find Your Own Support System Help yourself, so that you can help your child. Managing and dealing with a loved one’s hearing loss is overwhelming, so it would be wise to get some support. Counseling or support groups can be helpful. You can connect with others who have a family member with hearing loss. Online communities or organizations in your neighborhood are readily available. The Alexander Graham Bell Association lists chapters on its website while providing meet-ups and conferences for families. 4. Listen to New Sounds with Your Child Discovering new sounds and speech at a young age can help your child grasp language. Here are some easy ways to incorporate them into your day with them.
5. Advocate for Your Child You would know what is best for your child. If there is anything in your plan that is not working, tell your care team. They will work with you to meet the goals that were set. If they are not meeting your standards, find a specialist who will. Becoming involved in your child’s hearing healthcare is necessary to help your child succeed in school, in their life, and in their future. Fight for their needs and ask questions throughout the process. If you have a child who suffers from hearing loss, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids for a free hearing test and consultation. We offer hearing aids for people of all ages. Please be aware that Pure Sound services will only be available by appointment and for essential visits at this time. Essential visits include all appointments that require new hearing aid fittings, repairs, and re-fittings. We ask that you please wait in your car, while wearing your mask, and place your hearing aids in a clean zip lock bag. We will come to your car to get them. If you are having any problems with your hearing aids, or need supplies for your hearing aids, please call us before visiting one of our offices.  Turner syndrome is a rare genetic disorder that is found in one out of every 2,000 - 4,000 female births. Girls who are not developing at the same pace as their peers and experience recurring ear infections should get the child’s family doctor to test them for Turner syndrome. It is important to get an early diagnosis for proper treatment. Anyone who has this disorder is more prone to higher rates of autoimmune disorders, chronic ear infections, heart, liver, and kidney abnormalities, and hearing loss.
More Insights on Turner Syndrome In the 23 pairs of sex chromosomes within the human body, there are two sex chromosomes that separate men from women. Males have one X and one Y chromosome in their cells, whereas females feature two X chromosomes. Turner syndrome occurs when females do not have all or part of the second X chromosome. This syndrome restricts the female body from its natural growth and maturity. It may be diagnosed during pregnancy, infancy, late pre-teen, or early adolescence. Anyone who is affected by this condition may notice certain physical traits such as down-turning eyelids, short stature, low set and prominent ears, and a small jaw. Generally, a blood test is used in order to diagnose this syndrome. Turner Syndrome and Hearing Health In a study that was published in the Brazilian Journal of Otolaryngology, individuals with Turner syndrome have several issues concerning their hearing. This indicates that they should frequently get their hearing tested. The prevailing problems that occur are chronic ear infections, conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.
If you, or a loved one, are experiencing hearing loss, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a free hearing test and consultation. We offer a variety of hearing aid solutions for your individual needs. Please be aware that Pure Sound services will only be available by appointment and for essential visits at this time. Essential visits include all appointments that require new hearing aid fittings, repairs, and re-fittings. We will be offering curbside services. If you are visiting us for a repair, we ask that you please wait in your car, while wearing your mask, and place your hearing aids in a clean zip lock bag. A staff member will come to your car to get them. If you are having any issues with your hearing aids, or an assistive listening device, please contact us before visiting one of our office locations.  Our digital media assistant, Vi, is getting ready to post an article on tips to use when educating deaf and hard-of-hearing students during COVID-19.
If you, or a loved one, are in need of a hearing test and hearing aids, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a free hearing test and consultation. Please be aware that Pure Sound services will only be available by appointment and for essential visits at this time. Essential visits include all appointments that require new hearing aid fittings, repairs, and re-fittings. We ask that you please wait in your car, while wearing your mask, and place your hearing aids in a clean zip lock bag. We will come to your car to get them. If you are having any problems with your hearing aids, or need supplies for your hearing aids, please call us before visiting one of our offices.  Do you have a child who is easily distracted and displays poor behavior during class? It could be a learning disability, but you should explore the possibility that your child has a hearing loss. Hearing loss among people of any age is more prevalent than you may think. Hearing loss, no matter what degree of loss, has a very negative impact on a person’s academic performance.
The Centers for Disease and Control (CDC) found that approximately 15% of adolescents between the ages of 6 and 19, experience hearing loss at 16 decibels (dB) or more in one or both ears. About .1% experience severe hearing loss. Hearing loss in one ear can significantly affect a child’s ability to learn. Studies have indicated that between 25% to 35% of children who have single-sided (unilateral) hearing loss are at risk of repeating at least one grade level. The Link Between Hearing and Learning Hearing loss that goes untreated can delay a child’s speech and language acquisition. This leads to learning problems and poor academic performance. Poor academic performance is usually associated with carelessness and in some instances poor behavior. As a result, children who have hearing loss are usually believed to have ADD or ADHD. Children with mild to moderate hearing loss, who do not get immediate intervention, are more likely to fall behind their healthy hearing peers by one to four grade levels. It is very important that children who have a more severe case of hearing loss get help for their hearing loss. Children who do not receive treatment typically do not develop past a third-grade level of education. What Causes the Gap in Education? This gap is not due to a lack of intelligence. A child with hearing loss can perform just as well as a child with normal hearing abilities. The classroom environment may not adequately nurture a child who has hearing loss. Some teachers may not be informed about hearing loss or know how to properly accommodate a student with hearing loss. For example, an instructor who turns their back on the students while teaching causes a student with hearing loss to miss what was said, because the student may rely on lip-reading and facial cues to understand. Changes that are stated orally by the instructor, an unfamiliar accent, or when someone speaks too quickly, can disrupt a hard of hearing student’s progress in learning. The classroom environment and specific subjects can be problematic for a child with hearing loss. The ability to hear can impact every facet academic achievement, but the areas that are primarily affected are language theories. Idioms, language arts, vocabulary, and syntax are very difficult for a hard of hearing child to understand. A child with hearing loss will most likely express confusion and frustration while learning, which leads to poor academic performance. They may have normal speech patterns when speaking, but a child with even mild hearing loss can still struggle to hear their instructor from a distance or if there’s too much background noise. If a child has high-frequency hearing loss, they may not be able to hear consonant sounds, other children’s voices, or women’s voices. Difficulty with Socializing Not only can children with hearing loss struggle academically, but they can also struggle with socializing. The ability to effectively communicate with others is important in social interactions and good peer relationships. The inability to effectively communicate can lead to social isolation and depression. A child with hearing loss may become excluded from their peers or might be unwilling to engage in group activities because they may be embarrassed. This leads to the student becoming socially withdrawn, which can cause depression. Children with hearing loss have been shown to have a slower pace of social maturity, which interferes with peer relationships. Find a Solution with Hearing Aids and other Assistive Listening Devices Hearing aids are very effective in language acquisition and development for children with hearing loss. Children who receive hearing aids shortly after determining that they have hearing loss, can make a lot of progress at school and perform equally as well as the other students. What can Teachers do to Help? Teachers can help their hard of hearing students by learning as much about the students hearing loss as possible. They can learn how the student interprets information, what they are capable of, and their level of comprehension. Remember, it’s important to intervene early. Here are some signs to look for in the student:
A child who struggles in school, particularly one with a family history of hearing loss or has frequent ear infections, should get a hearing test by a professional. If it is determined that the child does have hearing loss, swift and proper intervention is key for their best chance of academic and future career success. If you or your child is experiencing hearing loss, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a free hearing test and consultation. We offer a wide variety of hearing aid brands for people of all ages. Please be aware that Pure Sound services will only be available by appointment and for essential visits at this time. Essential visits include all appointments that require new hearing aid fittings, repairs, and re-fittings. We ask that you please wait in your car, while wearing your mask, and place your hearing aids in a clean zip lock bag. We will come to your car to get them. If you are having any problems with your hearing aids, or need supplies for your hearing aids, please call us before visiting one of our offices.  As you know, due to the ongoing pandemic caused by COVID-19, some students will be homeschooled by parents or through online resources, the general population is in lockdown, and most activities have been altered to incorporate social distancing. A national survey was conducted by researchers at Kent State University and Texas Women’s University in order to discover more about the developments in education for the deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) children amidst the pandemic. The survey was sent to 133 parents of DHH children. Here are five recommendations on how to educate DHH children based on the results of this survey.
1. Advocate for your DHH child and get them the services they need. Out of the 133 participants of the survey, six indicated that their DHH child had received all services that were authorized by their Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 plan. Some parents were frustrated about the services that were not provided and/or taking much longer to set up. There were only 23 participants who reported that their child received services from a teacher of the deaf, and two who reported receiving interpreting services. It is recommended that parents reach out to educators for the DHH; they are there to help you and your child. 2. Get access to universal design in online education programs. Several parents reported inaccessibility to the design of online education programs for their DHH children. DHH children have a more challenging experience when following along with a person who is speaking during virtual meetings and videoconferences. This is due to the high volume of people appearing on their screen at the same time. Other obstacles included background noises, the inability to hear instructors over computer speakers, the absence of captions for announcements and videos, and captions that appeared too quickly or at an advanced reading level. It is recommended that anyone who speaks during a videoconference should raise their hand. Instructors and parents should oversee the existence, reading level, and speed of the captions to ensure that the child is getting the most out of their online learning experience. 3. Give DHH students the opportunity to socialize. Teachers have been too busy focusing on the academic part of the school, that they may have forgotten about the importance of children socializing with one another. The freedom to socialize is currently limited for most children. For children who are DHH, this issue is particularly severe. The majority of DHH children are the only ones with hearing loss in their families, which makes the homeschooling even more isolating. DHH children who are fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) may not have family members to communicate with. Having online and socially distanced interactions with other DHH peers is crucial to support DHH children’s mental health during the pandemic. 4. Get DHH role models involved during lessons. Featuring a DHH adult as a role model during lessons can help DHH children learn ways to handle challenges they may face during this time. Contact deaf education professionals and advocacy groups like Hands and Voices and the American Society for Deaf Children in order to find role models who can give advice to DHH students on how to succeed under these circumstances as someone who is DHH. 5. Communication is the key. Every DHH child needs access to communication, no matter what devices they use to help them hear or their language preference. Make sure that DHH children are engaged in conversations at home. Mention any casual information that the other children are informed about at home, and it’s important that parents let their DHH child know that their thoughts, feelings, and anxieties are valuable and can be openly discussed. One survey respondent noted that parents are not experienced with all of the techniques that trained professionals use to teach children. Teachers, on the other hand, do have the training and knowledge, but should not anticipate that parents have the same knowledge or will be able to immediately pick up the same techniques. Parents and teachers need to work together, as best as they can, to give the children an exceptional education. If you, or a loved one, are in need of hearing aids, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a free hearing test and consultation. We offer a variety of hearing aid brands and styles for a wide range of hearing loss. We also have the Roger Select TM microphones, an assistive listening device that can be placed at the center of a table and automatically streams the voice of the speaker directly into a Bluetooth®-connected hearing aid at a safe distance. Please be aware that Pure Sound services will only be available by appointment and for essential visits at this time. Essential visits include all appointments that require new hearing aid fittings, repairs, and re-fittings. We ask that you please wait in your car, while wearing your mask, and place your hearing aids in a clean zip lock bag. We will come to your car to get them. If you are having any problems with your hearing aids, or need supplies for your hearing aids, please call us before visiting one of our offices.  There are so many online resources that are available for families with deaf/hard of hearing children, who are in need of support. It can be too much to sift through.
Hearing healthcare providers are responsible for guiding families on how to raise a child who is deaf/hard of hearing. Even though there are many resources available through the internet, it’s important that family members of the child with hearing loss consult a professional to narrow down the most important information. In order to make the best decisions for their child, families should conduct research through professionals, parents, deaf/hard of hearing adults, books, websites, and their own local community. There is a learning curve when it comes to your child’s hearing loss. Discovering that your child has hearing loss can be devastating and overwhelming. You may have so many questions and concerns, but might not know where to begin or forget to ask them. Here is a List of 8 Commonly Asked Questions from Parents who have Children with Hearing Loss:
Click here to see an article about a Question Prompt List. Create better Access to Visual Cues for Your Child Infants who have healthy hearing abilities can hear their parents/caregivers, without having to face the person who is speaking. Children who are deaf/hard of hearing might not be afforded the same access to acquiring language and information through verbal communication and are helped mainly through visual cues. Parents and caregivers should learn and make basic changes in their daily life and their child’s environment to expand access. No matter what range of hearing a child has, they can use their sense of vision to efficiently communicate, build stronger linguistic skills and establish strategies that they can use for the rest of their life. For Parents: Tips on Language, Literacy, Social-emotional Growth Learn about experiences from other parents and caregivers of deaf/hard of hearing children from here. Each tip sheet sums up a description of the developmental process of babies and young children after identifying their hearing loss for cognitive, emotional, social, language (semantics, syntax-morphology, pragmatics, phonology - auditory and visual), pre-literacy and literacy development. Safety Guidelines for Children A Parent Safety Toolkit has been developed with the help of Hand & Voices O.U.R. (Observing, Understanding, Responding) Children’s Project. This system can be used by parents to instruct and model behavior, while taking action to make the lives of their deaf/hard of hearing children safer. A Guide for Parent-Professional Relationships in a Hearing Healthcare Environment There is a possibility for a family of a deaf or hard of hearing child, and a hearing healthcare provider to have a long-term relationship. It requires mutual respect and support from the healthcare provider. Families will feel supported by a professional when the care they receive is a joint partnership that is built on trust. This process develops over time. It involves transparency, honesty, very clear communication and compassion. Active listening is very helpful in these situations, and creates a bond with the families. Hearing healthcare providers are a crucial foundation of support for families when they learn that their child has hearing loss. If you, your child or grandchild are experiencing hearing loss, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a free hearing test and consultation. We offer a variety of hearing aids and assistive listening devices for your individual hearing needs. Please be aware that Pure Sound services will only be available by appointment and for essential visits at this time. Essential visits include all appointments that require new hearing aid fittings, repairs and re-fittings. We ask that you please wait in your car, while wearing your mask, and place your hearing aids in a clean zip lock bag. We will come to your car to get them. If you are having any issues with your hearing aids, or an assistive listening device, please contact us before visiting one of our office locations.  The new school year is upon us. Many parents are feeling stressed while taking care of their children during this pandemic. Parents of children with hearing loss have a unique set of challenges, particularly with the virtual classrooms or in person classrooms where there will be social distancing.
What can children with hearing loss expect when heading back to school? Let your child know that they are not alone. Encourage them to advocate for themselves and their needs when it comes to hearing loss. Children who are hard of hearing, and their parents, should discuss specific needs and concerns with their teachers. Everyone wants what is best for their child. By advocating for them, and encouraging them to advocate for themself, this can help the child stay on track with learning. Make sure there are accurate captions available for the student to read, or provide a transcript for the student. Hearing aids, Hobbies and Hangouts If your child enjoys cooking, it’s important that they wear their hearing aids in order to hear a timer go off. Being outdoors and exercising is important, especially during these times. Going on walks and listening to the sounds of nature can be very therapeutic. Simply enjoying the company of friends and family, whether it’s in person or through a video chat is great for your mental and social well-being. Laughing with loved ones is more enjoyable if you can hear them. Hearing Aid Accessories Many teachers and parents may use the Remote Microphone+, so that children who are hard of hearing can hear them clearly. The Roger Select ™ microphone can be placed onto a table and group discussions can be heard. If a teacher begins to speak, but is standing too far from the microphone, the student with hearing aids can switch to the Remote Microphone+. This would be a great accessory to use if classes are taking place outdoors. Check out our guide to properly sanitizing Phonak’s Roger Devices for students in the classroom during COVID-19. If you, or a loved one, would be interested in the Roger Select ™ microphone, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing. We also offer a variety of hearing aid brands and styles. Contact us for a free consultation and hearing aid trial. Please be aware that Pure Sound services will only be available by appointment and for essential visits at this time. Essential visits include all appointments that require new hearing aid fittings, repairs and re-fittings. We ask that you please wait in your car, while wearing your mask, and place your hearing aids in a clean zip lock bag. We will come to your car to get them. If you are having any problems with your hearing aids, or need supplies for your hearing aids, please call us before visiting one of our offices. What can Parents do to Protect Their Children’s Hearing Health When Frequently Using Headphones?8/10/2020  When it comes to hearing health, the volume isn’t the only factor to take into consideration. The length of time spent listening to audio should also be of concern.
Kids are constantly wearing their headphones these days. It’s become more prevalent since everyone has been home in quarantine. Due to families being together more often under one roof, everyone still needs their own space. Many will resort to listening to music or podcasts with headphones, or earbuds. Listening at a loud volume, for too long, can deteriorate your ability to hear. Use appropriate safety measures to avoid hearing loss, challenges with communication, tinnitus, feelings of fullness in the ear, sensitivity to sound and physical pain. Unfortunately, hearing protection has not been more widely taught to people. You can learn from the lifestyles of older generations who now experience hearing loss. Many people are more concerned about their children’s screen time, appropriate social media usage, and video games. Your doctor may be more concerned about smokers in your home, the amount of TV that is watched, their diet and exercise routines. They never show concern for volume levels of their audio or how often kids use headphones. Hearing tests are generally not conducted when you go to a doctor’s visit unless you specifically ask for one. If your kids wear headphones while playing video games or listening to music, and they can’t hear anything that you say, that means the volume is too loud. How safe are headphones designed for children? Headphones for children are generally not safe for children to use. The highest volume that they can reach up to is 85 decibels (dB). The dangerous exposure levels do not simply depend on the intensity, but also the duration and frequency. Time and volume levels are both important to take into account. The 85 dB is used as one of the few ways to regulate noise. Some headphones that are marketed for children - the devices that have volume limits and promote their safety - highlight the comfort of the ear pads and lengthy battery life, so that they can wear them all day long. So while it’s supposedly safe to turn the volume up, it is the consistent amount of time exposed to the significantly lower volume that damages your hearing health. Safe measurements to listening The amount of safe listening is different for each person. On average, the safe limit for the majority of headphone users for an unlimited amount of listening time is 70 dB. Brian Fligor, Ph.D., a pediatric audiologist in Boston and Rick Neitzel, Ph.D., an associate professor of environmental health sciences at the University of Michigan. Both Dr. Fligor and Dr. Neitzel consulted the World Health Organization’s Make Listening Safe program, which increases awareness of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). If you are exposed to noise for eight hours per day, a generous limit would be 83 dB, but 75 dB is more reasonable. Dr. Fligor suggests that a strict maximum recommendation may turn people off from well-meaning advice. Sound waves are not steady. They ebb and flow with various frequencies, harmonics and reverberations. Noise exposure is cumulative. If a child loves to use their headphones and also plays an instrument, mows the lawn or strikes on pots and pans, their dosage of noise goes up. You can make your child wear protective earmuffs or even earplugs for older children. Earplugs for younger children could be a choking hazard. It is impossible to predict whose ears can withstand the noise and whose ears cannot. According to Bryan Pollard, the president of Hyperacusis Research, which funds research on noise-induced pain, the same amount of noise may have no impact on some people and cause severe hearing damage to others. Damage caused by consistent low-level noise, just like gradual hearing loss caused by natural aging (presbycusis) can come about without warning. Each person has to decide for themself how much of their hearing that they are willing to risk. How can you determine if you are destroying your ears? Unfortunately, it’s typically difficult to know until it is much too late. Shifts in your ability to hear can happen slowly, and you aren’t going to know which noise that you become exposed to winds up permanently damaging hearing health. Hearing loss does not simply mean that sounds get quieter. Communicating becomes more challenging. Sounds can be heard but may become distorted. Speech noises can be unclear or muffled; music may sound dull for harsh. Conversations with others can turn into a frustrating and stressful endeavor. Tinnitus, a perceived beeping, buzzing, or ringing noise, affects 10 to 20 percent of the population. It normally takes less noise exposure to induce tinnitus than hearing loss. Tinnitus is more difficult to manage than hearing loss. It’s usually accompanied by feelings of pressure or a blockage in the ear, known as aural fullness. A symptom of hearing loss that’s even worse than tinnitus is hyperacusis. This is when sounds become so sensitive to you, that surrounding noises seem unbearable. It can become so progressive that the simple clinking noise of your dishes during a meal can induce a lingering pain in your ears. Parenting advice on making listening safer for children Make sure you cannot hear sounds seeping through your children’s headphones. If you can, that means it’s too loud. Also, occasionally check the volume levels or utilize a lock to control them. Your child should be able to hear from you whenever you speak to them. Make sure that they take intervals between listening. You can use noise-canceling headphones. They get rid of background noises, for example, while sitting through a car ride. Your child will be able to hear without the need to increase the volume level. These headphones are not to be mistaken for volume-limiting headphones or earmuffs that block out noise. Those are different accessories that are used in different situations. At least every three years, children should get a hearing test. Standard audiograms and a speech-in-noise test can identify prospective issues. Also, if you notice that your child is responding with, “What?” too frequently, then it’s probably time to get them tested for their hearing. Any signs of ear symptoms, even if they are temporary, are not to be taken lightly. If your child experiences tinnitus (beeping, buzzing, ringing noise with no outside source), hearing muffled sounds, feelings of fullness in the ear, fluttering, sensitivity to sounds, hearing sounds that are distorted, or pain these are all warnings of impending hearing loss. Get help immediately. Hearing loss can quickly happen, and it’s best to get treatment as soon as possible to avoid or slow down any further loss. If you, or a loved one, are in need of a free hearing test and consultation, contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids. We offer a variety of hearing aids for individuals of all ages. This is a friendly reminder that our offices are only open by appointment and for essential visits at this time. An essential visit includes new hearing fittings, repairs, and re-fittings. We kindly ask that you wait in your car while wearing your mask, and place your hearing aids in a clean zip lock bag. We will come to your car to retrieve them. If you are having any problems with your hearing aids, or need supplies for your hearing aids, please call us before visiting one of our offices.  Have you ever felt exhausted after going out with friends or family? How about feeling fatigued after a meeting with colleagues, or due to frequently interacting with others as part of your job?
Maybe you collapse in bed or on your couch. You don’t simply feel tired, you may feel physically, mentally and emotionally drained. Resting your ears and eyes is necessary to recharge. Communication and Energy Depletion Being deaf or hard of hearing doesn’t simply affect your communication. It also drains the energy that you use throughout the day, in order to lipread while remaining focused on others and your environment. You’re required to process and piece together what you hear, like the game Wheel of Fortune. You hear someone say a phrase, and you need to figure out what they said based on the context, topic being discussed, their facial expressions, body language, etc. And then you need to respond to the person. This is not common knowledge. There is less attention on this subject matter when it comes to deaf and hard of hearing children/teens. Awareness for these individuals tends to focus on language acquisition and communication, not so much on concentration fatigue. Many deaf and hard of hearing children/adolescents haven’t been given the opportunity to discuss the effects of hearing loss on their lives or how to manage it. Taking regular breaks and being honest with adults if they feel tired, without worrying that they will be seen as being lazy. When these deaf and hard of hearing children/teens become adults, it may still take time before they feel comfortable revealing that they need a break from work or are too tired to engage while hanging out with friends. Anyone who is deaf or hard of hearing can do anything, they just need to take a break and rest a little more often than others. To all parents and teachers, please be aware of this - especially during the school year. If you, or a loved one, are in need of hearing aids or listening devices, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a free hearing test and consultation. We offer a variety of hearing aid brands and listening devices. Please be aware that Pure Sound services will only be available by appointment and for essential visits at this time. Essential visits include all appointments that require new hearing aid fittings, repairs and re-fittings. We ask that you please wait in your car, while wearing your mask, and place your hearing aids in a clean zip lock bag. We will come to your car to get them. If you are having any issues with your hearing aids, or an assistive listening device, please contact us before visiting one of our office locations. A Guide to Sanitizing Phonak’s Roger Devices for Students in the Classroom During COVID-197/17/2020  Phonak's Roger Select microphone. Recommended Sanitation Procedure of Roger Devices in Classrooms
As we continue to live under these uncertain conditions, Phonak has devised a sanitation plan that is specifically for COVID-19. These guidelines are meant to be practiced in classrooms, where Roger products are shared between users. The novel coronavirus is a respiratory virus that can spread via droplets that are created when an infected person coughs or sneezes. When multiple people are sharing any of the hand-held or body-worn devices, like the Roger mic, there’s a risk of transferring the virus from one person to another. Asymptomatic individuals can be carriers of this virus, so it’s important to sanitize in between users. This recommendation applies to the following Roger products that are used by multiple students to reduce the risk of transmission:
Recommended Disinfectant Use a surface disinfectant, as directed in the instructions on the bottle. This is most effective in killing viruses. Do not use disinfectants with skin moisturizers, ointments, salves or creams. Do not use bleach (e.g. those which contain chlorine or peroxides) and disinfectants that have ethanol. These can damage materials. Use the following types of disinfectants:
Proper Cleaning Steps
Be aware that alcohol-based cleaning disinfectants can damage the device’s coating and electronic elements. If you’re a parent who has a child with hearing loss, or a school administrator who has a student with hearing loss, please call us at Pure Sound Hearing to discuss using the Roger Select ™ Microphone. If you, or a loved one, are looking for new hearing aids, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a free hearing test and consultation. Please be aware that Pure Sound services will only be available by appointment and for essential visits at this time. Essential visits include all appointments that require new hearing aid fittings, repairs and re-fittings. We ask that you please wait in your car, while wearing your mask, and place your hearing aids in a clean zip lock bag. We will come to your car to get them. If you are having any issues with your hearing aids, or an assistive listening device, please contact us before visiting one of our office locations.  Statistics on Language Development in Children with Hearing Loss
We have discussed the impact of untreated hearing loss on children and how it affects their performance in school. Research has shown that hearing aids and other listening devices can reduce the impact of hearing loss. In a study that was conducted by the University of Iowa, it indicated that children who have a hearing impairment have an easier time learning language and speech when they wear hearing aids. Researchers studied 180 preschool-aged children from six U.S. states, who have difficulty with hearing. Each child who wore hearing aids had better speech and language development in contrast with children who did not receive treatment for their hearing loss. The study showed that the longer the child wore hearing aids, the more improvement there was on their development in language and speech. It is important to mention that the research revealed how any range of hearing loss, from very mild to severe, can put a child’s language acquisition and ability to learn at high risk. That risk can be reduced with early and aggressive intervention. How does hearing impact the development of speech and language? Hearing directly affects communication; it will also influence the way a child learns in general, and more specifically how they learn syntax, vocabulary. Their academic achievements, the ability to socialize, their future career and salary are also impacted by their hearing health and communication. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association have determined that there are four ways that hearing loss can impact children:
Children who have a hearing impairment tend to have difficulty with learning more abstract words such as, “before” and “after”, or comprehending words that have more than one definition. They tend to have problems hearing the following speech sounds: “f”, “k”, “s”, “sh”, “t”, and “ed”. This affects how they compose sentences and which words they will incorporate in their vocabulary. As the divide between children with healthy hearing abilities and those with hearing loss becomes larger as they age, kids with hearing loss can catch up to the right level if they get the appropriate diagnosis and treatment. When should children with hearing loss get treated? The Joint Committee on Infant Hearing (2007) advises parents to get their infants a hearing screening by the time they are a month old. Newborns who fail their hearing screening should get another screening by the time they are three months old. Babies who have tested positive for permanent hearing loss should get help and treatment by the time they are six months old. This is one of the reasons for all infants in the U.S. to get screened soon after they are born. Every state has its own method of newborn screening. Before an infant leaves a hospital, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) advises a hearing screening for babies who are born inside of the hospital. Those who are not born inside of a hospital should have a visit to a hospital or clinic within a few days after they are born. Hearing loss in infants: The signs and symptoms Birth to 4 Months
4-9 Months
9-15 Months
15-24 Months
What should you do if you suspect that your child has a hearing loss? The National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) states that the initial three years are a very important time to acquire speech and language. This is when the brain is malleable and still developing, which makes it the best time to absorb language. Infants should be exposed to sounds and language to help them learn during that time and in the future. During their first three months of life, babies should react to loud sounds and be soothed by a familiar voice. Babies who are three to six months old should follow sounds with their eyes, become alert by noisy toys, react to music and laugh, babble or make gurgling noises. If your child does not react to sounds, talk to your child’s pediatrician. They might give you a referral to a pediatric audiologist and a speech-language pathologist, who will do a more thorough examination. Get treatment immediately Do not postpone treatment for your child’s hearing health. Research has proven that early intervention can improve development in language and speech, along with your child’s social skills and academic performance. Children who are four weeks old can receive hearing aids and assistive listening devices. Most babies and young children are fitted with behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids. The earmolds on these devices are able to help with a number of different types of hearing loss. They are also easy to adjust, clean and can be detached and altered as your child grows. Contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids to talk to one of our hearing instrument specialists, who can help you decide which hearing aid treatment options would work best for your child. Please be aware that Pure Sound services will only be available by appointment and for essential visits at this time. Essential visits include all appointments that require new hearing aid fittings, repairs and re-fittings. We ask that you please wait in your car, while wearing your mask, and place your hearing aids in a clean zip lock bag. We will come to your car to get them. If you are having any problems with your hearing aids, or need supplies for your hearing aids, please call us before visiting one of our offices.  Are you getting your child ready for the upcoming school year? Whether it will take place in a physical classroom or online, if your child has hearing loss, now is a good time to help them transition into a new classroom, school, or online course. Hopefully, under these new circumstances, we've learned that it’s always good to be prepared for what life throws at you.
Before Heading Back to Class First, check and make sure your child’s hearing aids are functioning properly. Get adjustments, cleanings, supplies, or repairs done prior to their first day of school. Talk to school staff members to make sure your child can fully participate in class:
Essential Hearing Aid Supplies Along with school supplies, here are some other things to add in your child’s backpack:
Let Your Child become Familiar with Their New Hearing Aids If this is your child’s first time wearing hearing aids, educate them on the importance of using hearing aids especially in school. Children with hearing loss are more likely to struggle with their development in speech and language, which is the basis of all education. Ask your child’s teachers to keep an eye on whether your child is wearing their hearing aid at school. Children and teens may be unwilling to wear their hearing aids, for fear of embarrassment among their peers. Teachers should be aware of this. A School’s Duty to Your Child If your child has a 504 plan or an IEP, it’s the school’s responsibility to verify that the hearing aids are properly working. Schools are held accountable for making sure that teachers are trained to help the students when necessary. In order to help your child, their teachers should be able to check and make sure the hearing devices are working during school hours. There are many different types of testing equipment that is available. Talk to your hearing healthcare provider to find out what would work best for your child. Teachers should also learn how to change batteries for hearing aids or sound processors if your child is too young or cannot do it themself. Using Assistive Listening Devices An assistive listening device must be provided by the school at no additional charge to the family if the student is part of the 504 or IEP plan. Here are some assistive listening devices that can be used:
Participating in Extracurricular Activities Your child should be given the opportunity to carry out a normal life with their hearing aids. Encourage them to participate in sports or other extracurricular activities that they would like to enjoy. Use a sport loop, splash guard and drying container. Discuss your child’s hearing loss and ask them to help your child care for their hearing aids, if necessary. Dealing with Teasing or Bullying Your child may be sensitive about their hearing loss and very self-conscious about their hearing aids being seen or stared at by peers. Ask teachers to observe any bullying from other students. If there is bullying, set up a meeting with the bully’s parents. They might not be aware that their child is misbehaving. They may have a family member with hearing loss, and the child might not know it. If a loved one has the same condition, it will hopefully change their attitude. With the student’s permission, break the ice and discuss their hearing loss with the class. Find a book to read, that illustrates a positive message for children with hearing loss. A new school can be scary for a child. There are expectations from teachers and peer pressure from students. Hearing loss while learning and interacting with others is just another thing to be concerned about. Parents and teachers need to work together to facilitate that transition into the classroom. If you, or a loved one, would be interested in a free hearing test and hearing aid trial, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids for a consultation. Please be aware that Pure Sound services will only be available by appointment and for essential visits at this time. Essential visits include all appointments that require new hearing aid fittings, repairs and re-fittings. If you need a hearing aid repair, we ask that you please wait in your car, while wearing your mask, and place your hearing aids in a clean zip lock bag. One of our staff members will come to your car to get them. If you are having any issues with your hearing aids, or need supplies for your hearing aids, please call us before visiting one of our offices.  Children whose family members read to them on a regular basis, have a closer relationship with those family members. They also perform better academically, establish better communication and logical thinking skills, and are more disciplined and focused.
Reading diverse story lines is a good way to teach children about those who are different from them, in addition to being inclusive and creating some lessons about empathy. It could be a good idea to own or borrow books about hearing loss, so that your children - no matter what they’re hearing levels are - can learn and celebrate other people’s differences. Children’s Books on Hearing for Ages 4-8 Read to your kids at this age for a great start towards academic excellence. Here are some suggestions for preschool-aged and young children: “A Button in her Ear” by Ada Basset Litchfield: This book tells the story of a young girl, whose hearing loss was identified and treated with hearing aids. Audiences who have normal hearing can learn about hearing loss, and any audience members who have hearing loss will be able to relate with the main character. This book was originally published over forty years ago, so remember that modern hearing aids look very different from the devices featured in this book. “A Birthday For Ben” by Kate Gaynor: A birthday party for a boy named Ben helps to demonstrate the difficulties of hearing loss, but also shows the ways that we are all the same. This is a great book to teach kids about sympathy and being inclusive. “Cosmo Gets an Ear” by Gary Clemente: This is an interactive book that was written from a child’s perspective. It tells the story of a child’s hearing loss journey to getting his hearing aid. The audience can interact with the book by responding to multiple-choice questions, and learn about the benefits of wearing hearing aids, as well as how to care for the devices. “Dad and Me in the Morning” by Patricia Lakin: This book can be enjoyed by adults and children with any level of hearing abilities. It’s the story of a dad’s relationship with his son who is deaf. Readers will discover how they are able to communicate with one another. The book offers a good introduction to American Sign Language (ASL) and Deaf culture. Children’s Books on Hearing for Ages 9-12 Older kids can also benefit from being read to. Children read at different levels than they listen. They may be more willing to learn lessons from books, instead of hearing the lessons from their parent(s)/guardian. Reading to kids at these ages will boost their vocabulary, their sense of security and place in society, and creates a better bond between you and your child. Here are some suggestions for pre-teens: “Addy’s Race” by Debby Waldman: This book tells the story of Addy, who wore hearing aids throughout most of her life. She realizes that she has a hidden talent, which shows her that she is not entirely characterized by her hearing loss. “Cheshire Moon” by Nancy Butts: More mature audiences will enjoy this story about Miranda, a deaf girl who learns how to trust a new friend after her cousin, Timothy, is lost at sea. It’s suspenseful and captivating as these two characters share a mysterious dream about Timothy. “Jessi’s Secret Language” by Ann Matthews Martin: The main character, Jessi, learns sign language from Matt, a little boy whom she babysits. She decides to introduce sign language to other children who are interested. “Rally Caps” by Stephen J. and Jodi Michelle Cutler: 10-year-old Jordan, becomes injured in an accident, and has difficulty playing baseball, his favorite sport. He meets Luca, a deaf boy who wears cochlear implants, who motivates Jordan to push himself to achieve his goals. Teenager’s Books on Hearing for Ages 13-19 When you read together as a family, teens will likely go off on their own to read. It’s during these ages when reading enhances a child’s vocabulary and writing skills. It guides them through complex life issues, deepens their imagination and raises their chances of academic achievement. “A Season of Change” by Lois L.R. Hodge: This tells the story of a 13-year-old girl named Biney, who has hearing loss. She helps a friend who is going through a very tough time. This challenging situation helps her to prove to everyone that she can handle adult situations. Hearing Our Way Magazine: This is a magazine for children and teens who have hearing loss. It gives them a chance to connect with others who experience the same problems and challenges. Resources are also available for parents and teachers. Getting Treatment If you, or a loved one, are experiencing hearing loss, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids for a free hearing test and consultation. We offer a variety of hearing aid styles and brands for a wide range of hearing loss. Please be aware that Pure Sound services will only be available by appointment and for essential visits at this time. Essential visits include all appointments that require new hearing aid fittings, repairs and re-fittings. If you need a hearing aid repair, we ask that you please wait in your car, while wearing your mask, and place your hearing aids in a clean zip lock bag. One of our staff members will come to your car to get them. If you are having any issues with your hearing aids, or need supplies for your hearing aids, please call us before visiting one of our offices.  Today, newborns are given a hearing screening before they leave the hospital. If a child is deaf or diagnosed with hearing loss, parents can be guided by hospital staff and healthcare professionals to get the proper means of communication and resources for treatment.
In some cases, being diagnosed with hearing loss is a precursor to autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The Gallaudet Research Institute has estimated that 40 percent of children who have hearing loss also have an additional disability. The pervasiveness of ASD among children who are deaf or hard of hearing is 1 in 59. What is autism? ASD is defined as an intricate developmental disorder that becomes present during early childhood and influences a child’s ability to communicate. Children who have ASD do not grow out of this disorder, but similar to hearing loss, getting an early diagnosis can lead to early intervention. This will greatly improve a child’s quality of life. Ways to determine whether your child has more than hearing loss Here are some signs to look for:
Autism and its association with hearing loss Autism impacts children differently, so it’s crucial to recognize how this disorder affects their capacity to hear and comprehend sounds. In some instances, a child may not have any hearing loss. In other cases, a child might have mild, moderate, or profound hearing loss that could be treated with hearing aids. For most children, the nerves that transfer sound to the brain may not function properly. This is known as auditory processing disorder (APD). This makes it difficult for the child to comprehend what others are saying to them. Children with autism might have issues with other sensory experiences. This is known as multi-sensory processing disorder. Autism and auditory processing disorders Autism can affect how a child processes sound. As a result, a child with autism might struggle with learning language. Some things that may help them manage these issues include:
Autistic children could be sensitive to some sounds (hyperacusis), due to difficulties processing those sounds, but continue to have hearing loss in other sound ranges. For example, high-pitched noises can irritate a child, but that child isn’t able to hear low-pitched sounds clearly. This can make it difficult to determine whether the problem is caused by hearing loss, or not. Find out which sounds irritate your child. Some kids can wear noise-cancelling earmuffs or can find a quiet area that they can go to. In other instances, some children are under-reactive. They do not appropriately respond to sounds in their environment. Misdiagnosing hearing loss as autism There have been some cases where a child’s hearing loss is undiagnosed and a problem with communication emerges. This child is typically suspected to have autism. Here’s a resource that can help you distinguish the differences. Seeking Help Each child is affected by autism differently. There is still so much more research needed to understand this disorder. If you suspect that your child is experiencing hearing loss, please contact us at Pure Sound Hearing Aids. We offer a free hearing test and consultation to discuss the best options for you and your child. Please be aware that Pure Sound services will only be available by appointment and for essential visits at this time. Essential visits include all appointments that require new hearing aid fittings, repairs and re-fittings. If you need a hearing aid repair, we ask that you please wait in your car, while wearing your mask, and place your hearing aids in a clean zip lock bag. We will come to your car to get them. If you are having any issues with your hearing aids, or need supplies for your hearing aids, please call us before visiting one of our offices.  Main Facts
Approximately 5% of the world’s population - that’s 466 million people - have a disabling form of hearing loss (432 million adults and 34 million children). It is being estimated that in 2050, more than 900 million people - that’s 1 in 10 people - will experience a disabling hearing loss. A disabling hearing loss is defined as hearing loss that is over 40 decibels (dB) in the healthier hearing ear for adults and hearing loss that is over 30 dB in the healthier hearing ear in children. Most people with disabling hearing loss live in low or middle-income countries. About one third of those aged 65 or older, have a disabling hearing loss. Most of these people live in South Asia, Asia Pacific and sub-Saharan Africa. Hearing loss vs deafness A person with hearing loss is someone who cannot hear as well as someone with normal hearing loss (that’s a hearing threshold of 25 dB or more in each ear). Hearing loss is categorized as mild, moderate, severe or profound. One or both ears can be affected, which can cause difficulty in hearing casual speech or loud sounds. Someone who is ‘hard of hearing’ has hearing loss that varies between mild to severe. Those who are hard of hearing can communicate with others by verbally speaking and may benefit from using hearing aids, other assistive listening devices and captions. Those with more severe hearing loss may benefit from cochlear implants. A person who is deaf has profound hearing loss. They have little or no hearing abilities. They use sign language or lip reading to communicate and understand people. What causes hearing loss and deafness? Hearing loss and deafness may be congenital (present at birth) or acquired. Congenital causes could lead to hearing loss that is present at or acquired right after birth. Hearing loss can be caused by genetic factors that may or may not be hereditary, or by pregnancy/birth complications. These include:
Acquired causes can lead to hearing loss at any age. These include:
A common cause of hearing loss in children is suffering from a chronic form of otitis media. What are the Impacts of hearing loss? Hearing loss impacts the practical means of communication with others. Development of spoken language is delayed in children who have hearing loss that is not addressed and treated. Hearing loss that goes unaddressed, or ear diseases like otitis media, will most likely have a negative effect on how children perform academically. These children tend to have higher rates of failure and the need for additional assistance in learning. It would be crucial to have access to the appropriate tools in order for them to have the best learning experience, but those means are not always accessible. Social and emotional repercussions Being excluded from interacting with others due to an inability to communicate can create feelings of isolation, loneliness, and frustration. This is especially true with older people who have hearing loss. Economic repercussions According to the World Health Organization, hearing loss that goes untreated can cost $750 billion in health sector costs, costs in educational support, loss in productivity, and societal costs. In most developing countries, children who have hearing loss rarely receive any education. Adults who have hearing loss are more likely to be unemployed. Among the employed, there is a greater percentage of people with hearing loss who are in the lower levels of employment in comparison to the general workforce. In order to lower the rate of unemployment for those with hearing loss, it’s important to create access to education and vocational rehabilitation services, particularly for employers. Prevention measures There has been some suggestion that half of all cases of hearing loss can be prevented through public health measures. About 60% of children under 15 years old, have hearing loss cases that were due to preventable causes. Here are most of the preventable causes of childhood hearing loss:
Easy ways to prevent hearing loss
Identify and manage hearing loss It is very important to detect hearing loss as early as possible in order to intervene. This will help to reduce the impact of hearing loss during a child’s development and education. Early detection and intervention will improve language acquisition and overall education outcomes. Children who are deaf or hard of hearing, and their family members, should have the opportunity to learn sign language. Hearing screenings that take place at schools are an effective way to detect ear diseases and hearing loss at an early age. Pure Sound Hearing Aids offers a free hearing test and consultation. Those with hearing loss can benefit from wearing hearing aids. The global production of hearing aids only fulfills less than 10% of worldwide needs. There is an overall lack of availability of services for fitting and maintaining hearing aid devices, but our hearing instrument specialists at Pure Sound are readily available for your hearing aid needs. Pure Sound services will only be available by appointment and for essential visits at this time. Essential visits include all appointments that require repairs, re-fittings and new hearing aid fittings. If you are having any problems with your hearing aids, or need supplies for your hearing aids, please call us before visiting one of our offices. |
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