Hearing Loss Education Center

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Hearing Loss Education Center
Hearing & Hearing Loss Screening & Testing Treatment with Hearing Aids Advanced Treatments for Hearing Loss Communication & Language Speech & Language Manual Language Other Methods of Communication Choosing the Right Treatment Resources
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Speech and Language

It is easy to confuse speech, language, and communication; however, there are important differences.

  • Speech – involves the use of vocalization and spoken words.
  • Language – involves the use of an organized system of signals—from spoken words to physical gestures to written symbols.
  • Communication – involves the use of speech, language, or behaviors.

A baby communicates without speech or language—they cry, gurgle, smile, and frown. Communication evolves as we grow up, with the development of language, which is an important part of making us who we are.

Research finds that there are key “windows of opportunity” in the first few years of a child’s life for learning language—whether written, spoken, or based on physical gestures. If language skills are not developed during these key times, it can be difficult to fully develop language skills later in life.

Speech also depends on learning skills during certain key times. Speech involves coordinating many muscles in the head, neck, chest, and abdomen. In children, this is a complex skill that takes years of practice.  In children with hearing problems, learning to control the muscles needed for clear speech can be especially challenging.

Much of daily life depends on the face-to-face exchange of ideas and information. In addition to oral speech and written language, other communication options—different forms of “language” and other strategies—are useful for people with more severe hearing loss.

Cochlear implants and language development

A critical factor that determines success with a cochlear implant is how early your child receives an implant. With early use of a cochlear implant, children have greater chances of realizing their personal best speech and language skills.1-6 Studies have shown that children who receive a cochlear implant and appropriate rehabilitation at a young age (before the age of 18 months) have a greater potential to develop language skills equal to or close to those of their same aged peers with normal hearing.2,5-7

Developing speech and communication skills are among the most important benefits that a cochlear implant can help your
child.3,8,9 Language is critical not just for communication and life skills, but for cognitive skill development – the neural pathways of a child are always developing and the development of speech and language helps to spur other development.10

 

 

1. Geers AE. Speech, language, and reading skills after early cochlear implantation. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2004;130:634-638.
2. Hammes DM, Novak MA, Rotz LA, Willis M, Edmondson DM, Thomas JF. Early identification and the cochlear implant: Critical factors for spoken language development. Ann Otol Rhino Laryngol 2002;111:74-78
3. Zwolan TA, Ashbaugh TM, Alarfaj A, Kileny PR, Arts HA, El-Kashlan HK, et al. Pediatric cochlear implant patient performance as a function of age at implantation. Otol Neurotol 2004;25(2):112-120.
4. Novak MA, Firszt JB, Rotz LA, Hammes D, Reeder R, Willis M. Cochlear implants in infants and toddlers. Ann Otol Rhino Laryngol Suppl. 2000;185:46-49.
5. Nicholas JG, Geers AE. Will they catch up? The role of age at cochlear implantation in the spoken language development of children with severe to profound hearing loss. J Speech Lang Hear Res 2007;50:1048-1062.
6. Nicholas JG, Geers AE. Expected test scores for preschoolers with a cochlear implant who use spoken language. Am J Speech Lang Pathol 2008;17:121-138.
7. Robbins AM, Osberger MJ, Miyamoto RT, Kessler KS. Language development in young children with cochlear implants. Adv Otorhinolaryngol 1995;50:160-166
8. Kirk KI, Miyamoto RT, Ying EA, Perdew AE, Zuganelis H. Cochlear implantation is young children: Effects of age at implantation and communication mode. Volta Rev 2002;102(4):127-144.
9. Kileny PR, Zwolan TA, Ashbaugh C. The influence of age at implantation on performance with a cochlear implant in children. Otol Neurotol 2001;22:42-46.
10. American Speech-Language Hearing Association Website. http://www.asha.org/ public/speech/development/chart.htm June 2009



    		  
       

    Hearing Loss

    For hearing loss, refers to less than average ability to hear and understand sounds due to one or more parts of the hearing system not working properly.

    Hearing Loss

    For hearing loss, refers to problems hearing in both ears, not just one.

    Hearing Loss

    For hearing loss, refers to problems hearing in one, but not both ears

    Mild Hearing Loss

    People with mild hearing loss have some difficulty following speech, mainly in noisy situations; quietest sounds they can hear in their better ear average between 25 and 39 decibels (a standard measure of sound)

    Moderate Hearing Loss

    People with moderate hearing loss have difficulty following speech without a hearing aid; quietest sounds they can hear in their better ear average between 40 and 69 decibels (a standard measure of sound).

    Severe Hearing Loss

    People with severe hearing loss get help from powerful hearing aids, but often rely on lip-reading even when using an aid; quietest sounds they can hear in their better ear average between 70 and 89 decibels (a standard measure of sound).

    Profound Hearing Loss

    People with profound hearing loss mostly rely on lip-reading and/or sign language; the quietest sounds heard in their better ear average from 90 decibels or louder (a standard measure of sound).

    Otosclerosis

    A disease in which bone grows abnormally in the middle ear preventing structures within the ear from working properly and causing hearing loss.

    Cochlea

    Part of the ear that contains both the organ of hearing (the cochlea) and the organ of balance (the labyrinth).

    Feedback

    A high-pitched, sometime painful, whistling sound that occurs when a microphone picks up sound from a nearby speaker and replays it again and again (commonly occurs when a poorly fitting hearing aid earmold allows sound to “leak” from the speaker back into the microphone).

    Assisstive Listening Devices

    Electronic devices or accessories for hearing aids that provide extra help in specific listening situations (telephone, noisy backgrounds, small or large group settings, etc.).

    Sensorineural Hearing Loss

    Hearing loss due to failure of the auditory nerve, also called nerve deafness.

    Mastoid Bone

    A portion of the lower skull bone that contains the inner ear.

    Rehabilitation

    For individuals who previously experienced hearing and get a cochlear implant, the comprehensive training program that “re-teaches” them how to hear and interpret sounds, to recover any lost speech skills, and to properly use the cochlear implant speech processor and controls.

    Habilitation

    For individuals who had not previously experience hearing and get a cochlear implant, the comprehensive training program that teaches them to hear and interpret sounds, to develop or improve speech skills, and to properly use the cochlear implant speech processor and controls.

    Coverage

    For health insurance, coverage involves making sure a health plan or policy pays for the cochlear implant device and related professional services (for example, physician and audiology services). Usually, you go through a preauthorization process. This means getting a guarantee from the health insurance plan that they will pay for the implant and services before getting treatment.

    Billing

    For health insurance, billing involves the process by which health care providers charge, code, and submit their bills (in the form of a claim) to the health insurance company or plan.

    Payment

    For health insurance, payment involves getting the full amount allowed for services given a health plan’s limitations, allowables, deductibles, and co-payments.

    Menieres

    A disorder of the fluid volume of the inner ear that can cause hearing loss, dizziness/vertigo, tinnitus (ringing in the ear), and/or pressure or pain in ear.

    Meningitis

    a viral or bacterial infection that causes inflammation and swelling of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord; among possible serious complications are hearing loss or deafness.

    Mumps

    a viral infection that causes swelling of the salivary glands; sometimes spreads to central nervous system which can result in hearing loss.

    Measles

    a viral infection that causes rash, fever, and cold-like symptoms; sometimes causes complications like ear or brain infections which can result in hearing loss.

    Unilateral

    on one side, but not the other; used to describe a type of hearing loss in which there is normal or somewhat impaired hearing in one ear and little or no hearing in the other ear.

    Unilateral Hearing Loss

    condition in which one ear has little or no hearing ability and the other ear has normal or close to normal hearing. Also referred to as Single Sided Deafness (SSD).

    Osseointegration

    the natural process of bone growing into the titanium fixtures creating a direct connection between an artificial implant and living bone.