Treatment Areas: Hearing
Defining and treating a hearing impairment is complex and includes consideration of many factors. In general, a hearing loss is categorized by type, severity and configuration. Hearing impairments can be conductive, sensorineural or mixed in nature. Additionally, a hearing loss is defined by the severity of the loss which can range from mild (25 dB) to profound (90dB or greater). The configuration of the hearing loss refers to the frequencies impacted as well as other factors such as the nature of the loss (progressive, sudden, fluctuating, unilateral).
Please explore the following links for more information about treatment for children with hearing impairments as well as to learn more about (Central) Auditory Processing Disorders.
Only an audiologist has the expertise and sophisticated equipment needed to identify and describe a hearing loss. If you have any concerns about your child’s hearing, contact an audiologist for a hearing evaluation immediately.
For more information about the types, nature and severity of hearing loss please refer to the ASHA website.
Regardless of the characteristics, nature or type of hearing loss, it is crucial to remember that any degree of hearing impairment results in decreased speech perception, or the ability to understand and discriminate speech sounds. As a result, children with hearing loss demonstrate a range of difficulties in areas of listening, language and speech production.