Page 95 - DEDU506_SPECIAL_EDUCATION_ENGLISH

Unit 12: Speech and Hearing Impaired: Preventions and Teaching Strategies

(ii) Do not insert any objects into the ear canal: Children may insert seeds, grains, pebbles, soil, Notes
etc, into the ear canal during play. In case of adults, insects are the most commonly found
foreign bodies. Get help from an ENT doctor immediately. Foreign bodies may block the ear
drum or damage the ear drum, causing a mild to moderate hearing loss. Do not pour water into
the ear, as it may cause infections.
(iii) Do not neglect earaches or ear discharge: Ear infections, if not treated, can cause hearing loss.
Consult ENT doctor immediately if there is any of the following symptoms:
• Ear pain
• Fluid in the ear
• Itching sensation
• Ringing in the ear
(iv) Wear a helmet: Avoid injuries to your head and ears. Road Traffic Accidents may damage
hearing. Wear a helmet to protect yourself from road traffic accidents.
(v) Avoid noise: Be aware of sources of noise. Exposure to loud and excessive noise is one of the
most common causes of hearing loss. Protect your ears from the sounds of gunfire, firecrackers,
very loud music, etc. If your job requires you to work in a noisy situation (saw-mills, road
construction, printing works, factories, etc.), make sure you wear hearing protective devices
such as ear muffs or ear plugs, in order to protect your hearing. Your audiologist will be able to
help you select an appropriate hearing protective device.
(vi) Do not take medicines indiscriminately: If you have to take any of these drugs for a prolonged
duration, have your hearing evaluated periodically. If you think your hearing is being affected,
talk to doctor. Check if the dosage can be lowered, can take an alternate medicine.
(vii) Discourage marriage between close relatives: Consanguineous marriages, or marriages among
blood relatives, increase the chances of children being born with hearing loss.
(viii) Take good care of health during pregnancy: Infections such as measles, mumps, syphilis, and
rubella during pregnancy may damage the unborn child's hearing. Exposure to radiation / X-
rays, drug intake during pregnancy, falls and injuries can also affect the child's hearing. Pregnant
women should meet their doctors regularly for advice on diet, general health and vaccines.
This is needed to protect the unborn child from all health problems, including hearing loss. Rh-
incompatibility can also affect the child's hearing. This condition occurs if the mother's blood
group is –ve and the child's blood group is +ve(for example, if the mother's blood group is B –
and the child's blood group is B+).
(ix) Prevent ear infection: At the time of feeding mother should, hold him/her in a slanting position.
This can prevent the baby from having ear infections. Do not pour hot oil or any other liquids
into the ear, as it may result in pain and ear discharge. If you swim or dive, use ear plugs to
keep the water from entering your ears. Dirty water in the ear might cause infections, too.
While blowing your nose, do so gently and from both nostrils. Otherwise, fluids from the nose
may be forced into the middle part of the ear, Thus causing infections.
(x) Get immunizations done on time: Diseases like mumps, measles, rubella, encephalitis,
meningitis, typhoid, etc. may affect hearing. As far as possible, prevent these diseases and get
children vaccinated on time. If you get these diseases, you must get advice from a qualified
audiologist.
(xi) Get your hearing checked periodically: Keep in touch with your audiologist. Get your hearing
checked immediately if you find it difficult to hear, or if you feel one ear is better than the other.
Also consult the audiologist in case of
• any discomfort,
• ringing in the ear
• dizziness
• family history of hearing loss

LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY 89