Hearing Impairment and Disability

The partial or total inability to hear is referred to as hearing impairment. It may occur in both ears or a single ear. It leads to difficulties in learning a spoken language and social interaction. Some of the factors contributing to hearing loss include aging, infections, genetics, trauma to the ear and birth complications. It can be categorized as mild, moderate, moderate-severe, severe or profound, depending upon the unheard decibels in a particular ear. Otoscopy, tympanometry and auditory function tests such as Weber test, Rinne test, etc. are used to diagnose hearing impairment. Hearing aids are commonly used to assist speech comprehension in such patients. This book provides comprehensive insights into hearing impairment and disability. It elucidates the concepts and innovative models around prospective developments with respect to the diagnosis and treatment of this medical condition. This book will prove to be immensely beneficial to students and researchers in the field of otolaryngology.