Page 87 - DEDU506_SPECIAL_EDUCATION_ENGLISH

Unit 11: Identification, Causes Problems of Speech and Hearing Impaired

(2) Neuropsychological Tests: Another important test is the assessment of neurological functions. Notes
Owning to cerebral dysfunction and brain damage, a good number of hearing impaired children
have additional percepto-motor deficiencies. An expert clinician may be able to find certain signs in
such children.
(3) Medical Examination of the Children: By this technique, a physician takes the general medical
history of a child he investigates the functioning and dysfunctioning of various organs related to
audition. The relationship between the auditory deformitite sand personality disorder is also sought.
(4) Case Study of the Child: The case history is generally taken by a psychiatrist. The psychiatrist
may collect the data from the child directly or from a close relative of the child. While collecting the
data, the following points may be taken in to account:
(1) Indentification of the child, i.e., name and address etc.
(2) Statements of the present problem (symptoms etc.).
(3) Health history (illness, serious disease, surgical operation etc.).
(4) Development history and
(5) Family history.
(5) Systematic Observation of the Child Behaviour: This method is highly conducive and extremely
useful for assessing the hearing impaired. The salient observable points of behavior displayed by
children who are to be identified are as follows:
(1) Frequent ear eggs are observable;
(2) They turn heads on one side to hear better;
(3) These children are unable to follow directions;
(4) In the classroom, they always request to repeat instruction question etc.

What are the identification methods of hearing impairment?

Main Symptoms for Identification of Hearing Impaired
The following questions can be put to the children for identification:
1. Does the child ask for repetition of instruction?
2. Does the child display restlessness and inattention?
3. Does the child have an observable deformity of the ear?
4. Does the child have a discharge from the ear?
5. Does the child complain of pain in the ear frequently?
6. Does the child turn his head frequently in order to hear better?
7. Is the child unable to follow your instruction?
8. Does the child scratch his ear frequently?
9. Does the child focus on the speaker's face while listening to understand speech?
If answers to four or five questions are marked 'yes' the teacher can suspect hearing impairment in
the child. Such a child should be referred to the audiologist and ENT specialist for systematic
investigation and assessment. If the assessment report indicates mild or moderate degree of hearing
impairment the child can be integrated in the regular school without much difficulty. If the assessment
report indicates severe or profound hearing loss the child should be placed in a special schools for
the deaf.
How would one identify the hearing impaired children? Obviously there are some behavioural
indicators and some measurements tools including audiometer. But before the child is referred to an
audiometric clinic, certain signs are visible. These are called behavioural clues. The child displays
one or more of the following.

LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY 81