Accessibility: Unlocking Our Potential

[John Locke]

*Since the COVID mask mandate,* do you find yourself asking people to
repeat themselves more often? It might be because you have a hearing
deficit that has been exaggerated by masks, which also remove our abilities
to read lips.

Former Football star Derrick Coleman (who can read lips) reportedly never
removes his hearing aids unless he is showering or swimming.

 “On a scale of 0 to 10, normal people range from about a 7, 8, or 9," says
Coleman. "Without my hearing aids, I’m about a one or two.”

On the field you would never know he is almost completely deaf.

*A range of solutions for a range of hearing impairments*
There are several types of hearing impairments
<https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hearing-loss/symptoms-causes/syc-20373072.>.
They range on a scale of partial hearing loss to total deafness. *Conductive
hearing loss* affects the outer or middle ear. This deficiency makes it
difficult for sound waves to pass through the outer ear and eardrum.
*Sensorineural
hearing loss* is caused by a problem in the inner ear. The cochlea and
other nerves inside the ear are damaged.

A person could also experience *mixed hearing loss*, which is a combination
of both conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.

*Helpful facts*
Hearing loss is more common than you might think. According to the National
Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
<https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/statistics/quick-statistics-hearing>,
approximately 15% of American adults (37.5 million) aged 18 and over report
some trouble hearing, and about two-to-three out of every 1,000 children in
the United States are born with a detectable level of hearing loss in one
or both ears.

*Causes*
Some of the common causes of hearing loss
<https://www.captel.com/2020/02/7-common-causes-of-hearing-loss-infographic/>include
age, ear infections, and excessive loud noise exposure. We may not even be
aware of other problems, such as ruptured eardrums and ear diseases.

A ruptured eardrum, also known as tympanic membrane perforation, can be a
severe but treatable condition that may lead to hearing loss and other
hearing problems. The ruptured eardrum may occur due to noise exposure,
sudden pressure changes, or infection.

Certain conditions in the inner or middle ear can cause hearing loss.
Otosclerosis, a middle ear disease, makes it harder for the tiny bones in
the middle ear to move and is often treated with surgery. Ménière’s disease
occurs in the inner ear and may cause dizziness and ringing in the ear.

While rare, autoimmune inner ear disease can also cause hearing loss.

*Getting help*
Hearing loss is often permanent, but help is available. Visiting your
family doctor or audiologist right away will help to determine the best
course of treatment. Don't delay, especially if your hearing loss comes on
suddenly. The worst thing you can do is to ignore the problem.

*Trivia Question:*
*True or False? Only people in the United States use American Sign Language*.
Watch for our next "Accessibility: Unlocking Our Potential" post, for the
answer to this week’s  trivia question in the Friday, February 25 Student
Digest.

Regards,

John Locke, Ph.D.
EIT Accessibility Officer


Bailey Dell'Erba

TEL/EIT Intern

Majors in TV, Video Production, and Digital Media

Minor in Public Relations
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