Deafness

Description:

The word Deaf implies a person who has very extensive hearing loss in both ears keeping them from hearing spoken words. It is possible to be born Deaf or to acquire it later in life.

The term “Hard of Hearing” refers to partial hearing loss in one or both ears which may impact a person’s ability to hear spoken words.

Total deafness is actually very rare. Most people identified as having a profound hearing loss actually do have some hearing but it is generally not useful because hearing is based on frequencies and most speech patterns occur in the effected frequencies of a person who is Deaf.

Causes:

There are many causes of loss of hearing and they can be genetic, present at birth, or environmental.

A study conducted by the International Deaf Children’s Society found that 80% of those that are deaf in Kenya acquired it in a way that could have been prevented.

Preventable causes of deafness include:

Impacted wax
Suppurative Otitis media (result of untreated acute ear infections)
Inflammation of the ear canal and perforated ear drums
Measles, whopping cough, poliomyelitis, meningitis, rubella, tuberculosis, pneumonia and malaria
Misuse of ototoxic drugs
Birth difficulties

Treatment:

There is no cure for profound hearing loss. There are hearing aids that can increase a person’s ability to perceive frequencies. There is a relatively new device, a cochlear implant that is surgically implanted that will provide a sense of sound to a person with very limited hearing. This device is the most effective when it is implanted at a very young age, less than a year old.

However, being born deaf does not mean that a child will be unable to communicate and be understood. Sign Language, a communication system involving hand configurations and representation for words, is the preferred method of communication for the Deaf community. Sign Language is a complete language, with its own grammar and syntax, and each country in the world has their own Sign Language. This means that there is no universal Sign Language, but many signs are used in multiple countries to represent the same thing which is helpful for individuals from different countries and cultures who are Deaf to communicate with each other.

Prevention:

Deafness that is genetically inherited can not be prevented. However the likelihood of acquiring deafness in other ways can be avoided through immediate treatment of ear infections, proper vaccinations against diseases that contribute to deafness, and giving birth in proper health facilities.

A child who is born Deaf CAN:

Learn to communicate and be understood just like any other child. A child who is Deaf can receive an education and contribute it wonderful ways to their family and community.


	About Kupenda Children Ways to Contribute Photo Gallery News & Events Disabilities Schools Children in need of sponsorship Success Stories Clubfoot Microcephalus Hydrocephalus Epilepsy Autism Down syndrome Visual Impairment Effects of Polio Spina Bifida Deformed or Missing Limbs Deafness Cerebral Palsy Hip dysplasia Deafness Description: The word Deaf implies a person who has very extensive hearing loss in both ears keeping them from hearing spoken words. It is possible to be born Deaf or to acquire it later in life. The term “Hard of Hearing” refers to partial hearing loss in one or both ears which may impact a person’s ability to hear spoken words. Total deafness is actually very rare. Most people identified as having a profound hearing loss actually do have some hearing but it is generally not useful because hearing is based on frequencies and most speech patterns occur in the effected frequencies of a person who is Deaf. Causes: There are many causes of loss of hearing and they can be genetic, present at birth, or environmental. A study conducted by the International Deaf Children’s Society found that 80% of those that are deaf in Kenya acquired it in a way that could have been prevented. Preventable causes of deafness include: Impacted wax Suppurative Otitis media (result of untreated acute ear infections) Inflammation of the ear canal and perforated ear drums Measles, whopping cough, poliomyelitis, meningitis, rubella, tuberculosis, pneumonia and malaria Misuse of ototoxic drugs Birth difficulties Treatment: There is no cure for profound hearing loss. There are hearing aids that can increase a person’s ability to perceive frequencies. There is a relatively new device, a cochlear implant that is surgically implanted that will provide a sense of sound to a person with very limited hearing. This device is the most effective when it is implanted at a very young age, less than a year old. However, being born deaf does not mean that a child will be unable to communicate and be understood. Sign Language, a communication system involving hand configurations and representation for words, is the preferred method of communication for the Deaf community. Sign Language is a complete language, with its own grammar and syntax, and each country in the world has their own Sign Language. This means that there is no universal Sign Language, but many signs are used in multiple countries to represent the same thing which is helpful for individuals from different countries and cultures who are Deaf to communicate with each other. Prevention: Deafness that is genetically inherited can not be prevented. However the likelihood of acquiring deafness in other ways can be avoided through immediate treatment of ear infections, proper vaccinations against diseases that contribute to deafness, and giving birth in proper health facilities. A child who is born Deaf CAN: Learn to communicate and be understood just like any other child. A child who is Deaf can receive an education and contribute it wonderful ways to their family and community.