Loss of hearing is one disease that has affected more than a fair share of the world's population; however, this does not mean the effects are similar for those having it. A clear understanding of the type of aid being given to a deaf individual who helps them distinguish between being hard of hearing and deaf can help build communication and, consequently, relations. This paper outlines the graceful differences between the two conditions, which encase the definitions, causes, and interferences of a person's life, and possible interventions.
Definition and Effects of Loss of Hearing
Commonly, deafness is defined as a very profound loss of
hearing whereby an individual has very little or no functional hearing at all.
Hearing loss commonly refers to the condition whereby even with the help of
amplification devices like hearing aids, the individual is unable to hear most
sounds. Deafness can be either congenital and present at birth, or acquired
through several events later in life.
Partially Hearing means that a person has partial hearing loss but is still able to hear to some extent and is usually improved with the help of hearing aids or other assistive devices. Such persons will have difficulties in speech perception, especially in noise, though otherwise can quite easily reach good communication with appropriate help.
Hearing loss is typically measured in decibels, and generally, the degree of loss is by its severity:
- Mild Hearing Loss: 26-40 dB
- Moderate Hearing Loss: 41-55 dB
- Moderately Severe Hearing Loss: 56-70 dB
- Severe Hearing Loss: 71-90 dB
- Profound Hearing Loss: 91 dB
What Causes Hearing Loss?
Genetic Factors
Deafness and being hard of hearing can be inherited. Both situations can be linked to genes. The passing on of genes from parents may trigger imbalances that result in hearing loss at birth or due to its gradual happening.
Environmental Factors
Environmental factors would be loud noises, infections, ototoxic drugs, and physical trauma. These may result in one or the other but most likely, it is the extent to which one's condition is affected and how fast this happens that a person is regarded as either deaf or hard of hearing even though these conditions could be preventable.
Age-Related Hearing Loss
Tends to be classified as hard of hearing, presbycusis, which is the slow loss of hearing ability. Higher-pitched sounds tend to be lost first, which can distort the clarity of words heard by the elderly.
Medical Conditions
There are also a variety of hearing loss types and categories that can be the result of Fazio conditions. Conditions such as Meniere's disease, otosclerosis, and chronic ear infections are just a few that can cause hearing loss.
Communication Differences
There are so many variations in the methods of communication between deaf and partially hearing individuals.
Deaf Individuals
Sign Language
The sign language has a vast majority among deaf individuals. Individuals communicate mainly through sign language. There are American Sign Languages used widely in the United States and a few other countries; many other countries will have their own types of sign languages.
Speech And Lipreading
The profoundly deaf will use lip-reading and speech but it is highly demanding if there is not much residual hearing remaining.
Assistive Technology
A range of equipment is used to help communication, such as TTY, the text telephone, and VRS, video relay services.
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Hard of Hearing Individuals
Ear amplification Devices
They demonstrate good enhancement in hearing ability with the use of hearing aids, cochlear implants, or other assistive listening devices.
Speech Reading and Visual Cues
Many hearing-impaired persons use lip reading, facial expressions, and body language in conjunction with deficiency to develop an understanding.
Communication Techniques
Speaking, reducing background noise, and ensuring adequate illumination aids in communication efforts with hard-of-hearing persons.
Impact on Daily Life
Inability to hear generally has a varying impact in consideration between the deaf and the hard of hearing.
Education
Deaf Students: This may involve special education via
schools that are made for deaf students or mainstream programs that are
attending these schools through sign language interpreters. Many times, visual
teaching aids and assistive technologies work well for deaf students.
Hard of Hearing Students: These are more mainstreamed students, though still serviced with the use of hearing aids, FM systems, and other accommodations to facilitate their learning. Employment
Employees
Deaf Employees: Certainly there will be communication
barriers that can be expected, but most employers can be adequately
accommodated with the use of sign language interpreters, captioning services,
and work environment modifications.
Hard of Hearing Employees: Adequately accommodated hard-of-hearing persons with the use of suitable amplification equipment and workplace professionalism have been documented to work outstandingly well.
Social Life
Socialization happens mostly within the Deaf society since
there is massive usage of sign language. The members of the Deaf culture are mostly
involved and, therefore, are deviant in practices and norms.
Hard of Hearing Persons: The increasing usage of hearing aids and, most importantly, communication methods may allow hard of hearing individuals to socialize more positively, though a noisy environment or even large groups of people will always be causes for worry.
Technological and Medical Interventions
Technological improvement and omnipresent medical interventions have raised the living standards of deaf or hard-of-hearing people.
Hearing Aids
These devices amplify sounds and, therefore, help the hard-of-hearing individual to communicate effectively. Of late, hearing devices have been highly programmed and can be structured based on different types of hearing loss applicable to every individual.
Cochlear Implants
Surgically implanted, these devices can be used to stimulate the sense of hearing in patients with severe to profound hearing loss. This does not apply to all kinds of deaf people; for most, cochlear implant technology has instead changed their way of life.
Assisted Listening Devices (ALDs)
These are special tools like an FM system, infrared system, and induction loop system designed to function in special spaces such as a classroom, theatre, and public places, allowing auditory access.
Captioning Services
Real-time captioning and closed captioning for television and online video work to provide spoken information in print for access by people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Hearing Protection
Protection in a noisy environment can help in the prevention of further loss.
Considerations – Cultural and Identity
The cultural and identity aspects of being either deaf or hard of hearing are very significant and specific to the two groups.
Deaf Culture
Language and Community: Sign language and shared experiences
are considered the pivot of Deaf culture, focusing on visual communication and
emphasizing heritage and identity that identifies Deaf.
There are social norms, traditions, and history—in a word, culture. The activities that underline these premises are the Deaflympics and Deaf Theatre, to name a few.
Hard of Hearing Identity:
Dual Identity: Most hard-of-hearing people live within the
hearing and Deaf worlds. They might use spoken language and sign language based
on the situation.
Advocacy and Support: HLAA stands for Hearing Loss Association of America. This similar organization works for the advocacy of hard-of-hearing people by providing resources and advocacy for awareness and access
Conclusion
The first way of creating an atmosphere of understanding and support results from acquaintance with the difference between being hard of hearing and deaf. Normally, these two are different cases that present different challenges and may call for interventions of special types that support communication and quality of life. Increased awareness and accessibility can, in its way, do much to fill in the gap and make society more inclusive.
