​Types of Auditory Impairments

  • Hearing Loss involves a partial or total reduction in sound sensitivity due to a problem anywhere in the auditory system.
  • Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD) refers to a difficulty in processing auditory information in the brain, despite normal hearing sensitivity.

​Degrees of hearing loss

  • Normal (0-15 decibels and the student is able to detect and discriminate all speech sounds)
  • Borderline Normal (the loss is 16-25 decibels and the student has some difficulty hearing conversational speech)
  • Mild (the loss is 26-40 decibels and the student may have difficulty hearing quiet speech/sounds),
  • Moderate (the loss of 41-55 decibels and the student may have difficulty hearing normal conversations),
  • Moderate to Severe (the loss of 56-70 decibels and the student has difficulty understanding speech in most situations),
  • Severe (the loss of 71-90 decibels and the student may be able to identify environmental sounds, but is unable to hear conversational speech), and
  • Profound (the loss of 91+ decibels and the student may hear loud sounds and feel vibrations).

​Communication Options for Students Who Are Deafblind

There are different forms of communication that a student who is deafblind may use. The Hearing Impairment Teacher and/or Speech and Language Pathologist will provide input in selecting a method for communication. The method may be modified over time as the student's developmental level changes or if there is a change in the students hearing or vision. The following are the primary communication options:

Amplification Options

  • Ear-Level Hearing Aids: Fit behind the ear with an earmold in the ear.
  • Body Aids: Used for students with limited head control.
  • Cochlear Implants: Surgically implanted devices that stimulate the auditory nerve, offering sound perception to those with severe-to-profound hearing loss.

Online Resources for Deafblind 

The following resources offer valuable information, training, and tools to support students who are deafblind and those who work with them. (Secure links are embedded in each organization name.)

Additional Resources

  • Deafblindness: Educational Service Guidelines by Marianne Riggio provides a framework for creating a program for students who are deafblind. The guidelines, developed by a group of educators and family members, identify the knowledge and skills educators need to assist students who are deafblind reach their full potential and become successful contributing members of society.
  • Signing Savvy is a great web resource to use with students who are learning sign. It provides a searchable web dictionary and a video of how to sign the word or phrase!

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