Pros and Cons Sensory Aids for Persons with Auditory Impairments

Fundamental Approaches to Auditory Sensory Aid

The auditory-oral approach is based on the fundamental premise that acquiring competence in spoken language, both receptively and expressively, is a realistic goal for children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Further, this ability is best developed in an environment in which spoken communication is used exclusively. This environment includes both the home and the classroom. Elements of the auditory-oral approach that are critical to its success include:

• Parent involvement
• Appropriate amplification
• Consistent quality speech training
• Developmentally appropriate language instruction
• Range of placement option.

PROS

The primary benefit is being able to communicate directly with a wide variety of individuals. This ability brings with it options in terms of education, vocation, and social life. Statics reported that 88% of the 100 16- and 17-year-olds they studied had proficiency with spoken language and had high levels of speech intelligibility. The average reading ability of these students was at 13- to 14-year-old levels, which is approximately double the national average for all children who are deaf.

CONS

As with every approach to educating children who are deaf or hard of hearing, not all children will be successful. Unanswered questions remain about auditory functioning (even some hearing children cannot use their hearing well), language processing (some children may also have additional language disorders), and learning styles (some learning styles inhibit the attention and vigilance needed to develop orally). As research provides more information, the small number of children who cannot benefit from auditory-oral education will diminish. Fortunately, the availability of effective amplification removes severity of hearing loss as a limitation of auditory-oral education.

Aids for Persons with Auditory Impairments

Hearing aids can be analog or digital. Older analog hearing aids can be programmed with settings for various listening environments according to the user's preferences. Digital hearing aids, usually more expensive than analog, can be fine-tuned for specific frequencies and have more programming flexibility. 

• Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids

A plastic case that hooks behind the ear houses the electronics. It's attached to a customized, plastic ear mold that fits in the outer ear.

 Pros:

 Good for mild to profound hearing loss, allows for the most amplification among all types, long battery life, easy to clean

Cons:

 May be visible, can be difficult to wear with eyeglasses 

• Open-fit behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids

The miniature digital component fits completely behind the ear, eliminating the need for a mold. A small tube runs into the ear canal.

Pros:

 Voices sound less "plugged up," less visible than other hearing aids, the tube's design keeps it away from earwax -- good for people who have wax buildup -- and allows the ear canal to remain open

Cons:

 Smaller batteries don't last as long as larger ones, small size may limit ability to make manual adjustments, may be visible, not good for severe to profound hearing loss 

• In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids

A small, custom-molded plastic case sits in and completely fills the outer ear and has no external wires or tubes.

Pros:

 Good for mild to severe hearing loss, optional "telecoil" makes it easier to hear phone conversations and some public sound systems, has volume control

Cons:

 Is visible in the ear, may be sensitive to wind noise, not good for severe to profound hearing loss 

• In-the-canal (ITC) hearing aid

A tiny case, custom molded to fit the size and shape of the ear canal, sits partly in the ear canal.

Pros:

Good for mild to moderately severe hearing loss, less visible than other hearing aids, usually works well with the telephone, less sensitive to wind noise

Cons:

Not good for severe to profound hearing loss, small size may make it difficult to adjust and remove, may cause some feedback 

• Completely in-the-canal (CIC ) hearing aid

A tiny case is nearly hidden deep in the ear canal. Usually has a cord or tiny handle to aid in removing it.

Pros:

 Good for mild to moderately severe hearing loss, less visible than other hearing aids, usually works well with the telephone, less sensitive to wind noise

Cons:

 Not good for severe to profound hearing loss, small size may make it difficult to adjust and remove, no volume control, too small to hold devices like telecoil, smaller batteries don't last as long as larger ones, can become clogged with wax and require repairs.