Auditory Impairment and Assistive Hearing (Disability)

An auditory impairment may be caused by many physical conditions (e.g., childhood illnesses, pregnancy-related illnesses, injury, heredity, age, excessive or prolonged exposure to noise), and result in varying degrees of hearing loss. Generally, auditory impairments are categorized as mild, moderate, severe, or profound. An individual with a moderate hearing impairment may be able to hear the sound, but have difficulty distinguishing specific speech patterns in a conversation. Individuals with a profound hearing impairment may not be able to hear sounds at all. An estimated 48 million Americans older than 12 years had hearing loss in at least one ear. The National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) found that in 2014, an estimated 21.0 percent of adults aged ≥18 years had difficulty following a conversation amid background noise, 11.2 percent had ringing in the ears (tinnitus), and 5.9 percent had sensitivity to everyday sounds.

Auditory Impairment and Assistive Hearing Sourcebook, First Edition begins with an overview of auditory impairment and explains how auditory problems impact people. It provides information about types of impairment and related disorders and discusses about the auditory impairment caused by genetics and infections in detail. It also provides information on diagnosis, intervention, and treatment for people with auditory impairment. Information about assistive hearing and disability rights for people with an auditory impairment is provided. The book concludes with a directory of resources for further help and information.