People affected with mild to moderate hearing loss can hear sounds of less than or up to 90 decibels. But those with profound hearing loss are insensitive to the loudest sound of an audiometer. As such these people cannot hear a sound of 90dbor above this loudness level. In other words they are considered as deaf. Profound hearing loss can be treated surgically or by using hearing aids. But traditional hearing aids are not of much benefit. These people usually wear Behind the Ear hearing aids (BTE). These are used behind the ear and connected to a plastic ear mold fitted to the outer ear of the person. Another means of helping the sufferer is to give him a cochlear implant. The surgery puts in place and electronic stimulator that directly stimulates the nerves of hearing. A few days of stay in the hospital, after the implant, is however, required.

Profound Hearing Loss and Learning in Students

Even the loudest sounds are unheard by those suffering from profound hearing loss. Even traditional hearing aids on their ears do not help them. Student, therefore, miss most of the discussions and verbal teaching in the class. As a result there is a significant lack of vocabulary, poor expression of ideas differently in communicating and reliance on non verbal communication. However a good number of students develop extra communication skills. A few of them are successful in developing listening and verbal communication. A few others take the help of sign language to convey their thoughts and ideas.

The Duty of Teachers

Teachers should establish the physical environment to make the class more meaningful to students afflicted with profound hearing loss. They should be seated in front rows. The teacher should teach at angles so that his face and hands are distinctly seen by deaf students. Teaching strategies should include repetition of lesson while looking directly at the students with impaired hearing. In advance of teaching the same lesson, lecture notes and hand outs may be provided to students in the class. When normal students ask a question or make a comment, repeat the same, looking at the impaired boys and then respond or answer write any new or difficult words on the board and ask them to lip read them from you.

[tags]Learning Disability, BTE, Audiometer[/tags]