MESHGuides

A conductive hearing loss occurs when sound is unable to effectively pass through the outer and middle ear to the inner ear.

Conductive losses can be temporary or permanent and are usually mild or moderate.

The National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS) provide information, support, raise awareness and campaign for deaf children's rights. Parents and professionals supporting deaf children and young people can become a member and join for free.

A study by Klatte et al, (2010) showed that background noise had a greater impact on children’s speech perception and listening comprehension than adults, with high levels of classroom noise adversely impacting attainment.

Children are not able to make sense of words they have missed, as their auditory neurological network is not fully developed (Cole and Flexer 2011).

A bone conduction hearing device is worn either on a soft band or attached to a metal implant, which has been surgicaly implanted behind the ear. Sound in transmitted through the bone of the head directly to the inner ear, instead of travelling down the ear canal like traditional hearing aids.

A bone conduction hearing device may be recommended if a child has a conductive hearing loss or if it it not possible to use a conventional hearing aid.

Sound is measured in decibels (dB) with normal conversational voice around 60dB.  A hearing test measures the quietest sounds that can be heard (hearing threshold) at different frequencies. The frequencies tested range from low frequencies sounds (125Hz) to high frequency sounds (8000Hz), similar to the low notes and high notes on a piano. This information is recorded on a graph called an audiogram, shown below.

A sensorineural hearing loss occurs when there is a problem in the inner ear and the cochlea or auditory nerve is not working properly.

A sensorineural loss is permanent and affects both the loudness and clarity of sounds.

This video provides an overview of the different types of hearing loss.

Currently this page is in reference to the education system in England.

Research has shown that early diagnosis of a hearing loss, combined with early fitting of amplification and appropriate support can result in age appropriate language (Yoshinaga-Itano, 2006).

This section provides information about day to day management of post-aural hearing aids which will be useful for parents/carers and staff supporting children in nurseries and schools.