Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1.) Question: Are there different kinds of hearing loss?
Answer: Yes, There are three major kinds.
The first kind is called a conductive loss. It occurs in the middle ear which lies after the ear drum and it contains three small bones which conducts the sound on its journey to the brain. This kind of loss can sometimes be helped with surgery.
The second kind is called a sensori-neural hearing loss. This loss is located in the inner ear and involves the outer hair cells of the cochlea. This loss can range from mild to moderate to severe to profound. It causes a loss of loudness and clarity. A hearing aid is generally recommended to provide as much loudness as needed. When the loss is profound a cochlear implant is often recommended.
The third kind is called auditory neuropathy. This loss involves the inner hair cells of the cochlea which prevents correct transmission of sound to the brain. This disorder also effects children and adults to different degrees, but can disrupt speech and language development.
2.) Question: How early in life can a hearing loss be detected?
Answer: In the past several years testing techniques have been developed that now permit a child to be tested and a hearing loss to be detected at birth. If an infant fails the hospital screening test at birth, he is then referred for follow testing. This infant screening is part of the federal Early Hearing and Detection Act of 1999. This ability to detect hearing loss at the beginning of the child’s life permits early intervention at a time when the child’s brain is most prepared to learn thereby reducing the impact of the hearing loss on learning.
3.) Question: What percentage of children who are deaf and hard of hearing have additional disabilities?
Answer: The figure that is being shared by most demographic studies is 50%. This is a very significant increase from 20 to 25 years ago when the figure was 6%. The impact of this increase on schools has also created significant problems as most teachers of the deaf have not been trained to teach these children with additional problems. The field also lacks research into problems of differentiating learning problems that do not arise as a result of a hearing loss, but instead are caused by a specific learning disability. For example reading problems are experienced by most adults who are deaf as a result of their deafness. However, they can read material at the 4th grade level which allows them to hold many jobs. Many adults with additional problems attain only a first to second grade reading level giving evidence to the presence of an additional problem.
4.) Question: If my child is deaf or hard of hearing, how do I find resources to help both my child and our family?
Answer: There are several resources available to assist parents and children. There are two National Parent groups who provide information specific to assisting families. They are: Hands and Voices and the American Society for Deaf Children.
5.) Question: How can I support my favorite program at ICODA?
Answer: There are a variety of ways in which individuals and social service organizations can assist ICODA. There is a volunteer program available for those who live close by and have time available to share. Of course any activity which raises operational funds is of great value to us including individual and organizational donors as well as benefit activities that provides a profit. We also are in need of individuals who have connections with corporations willing to help, individuals who might like to offer a hand and professionals who are willing to share their services pro-bono. Click here for more information on how you can help.
If I have a question, whom should I contact?
All questions may be directed to:
Patricia Scherer, Ph.D.
Founder & President
847-509-8260 x233
p.scherer@icodaarts.org
Kathleen Herman
Executive Director
847-509-8260 x236
k.herman@icodaarts.org
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