Deafness can range from mild to profound with the two main types of deafness being conductive deafness and nerve deafness. Deafness at birth is known as congenital deafness, while deafness occurring anytime following this is called adventitious deafness. Exposure to noise is the most common cause of adventitious deafness (Better Health Channel 2007).
Symptoms and characteristics
Symptoms may vary depending on type of hearing loss and may include (MDA Internet 2005):
- sounds being more quiet and distant than before
- people's own voices sounding loud to themselves
- sounds being quieter than before, distorted and less clear
- high-pitched tones being harder to hear (less audible) than low ones
- words being difficult to distinguish, and sounds being muffled
- the sounds 's', 'f' and 'z' may not be heard, but consonants such as 'c' may come through more clearly
- ringing in the ear (tinnitus)
- balance disturbances (vertigo)
- nausea, vomiting, and a rhythmic jerking of the eyes (nystagmus).
Auslan and the Deaf community
People who have always been deaf or become deaf at an early age tend to experience deafness as a normal part of life and identify with the Deaf community. The Australian Deaf community is a network of people who share a language and culture and a history of common experiences. Auslan (Australian Sign Language) is the language of the Australian Deaf community. The use of Auslan, or the acceptance of Auslan as a language in its own right, is an important and key factor of the Deaf community—a person who is deaf or hard of hearing does not automatically identify with the Deaf community as not all people who are deaf use Auslan (Australian Association of the Deaf 2005).
People who become deaf or hard of hearing in adult life are more likely to see themselves as a hearing person who now has difficulty hearing.
Workplace adjustments and solutions
There are solutions and adjustments for the following job requirements:
Case studies and success stories
For employers and managers:
For job seekers:
References
Australian Association of the Deaf Inc 2003, The Australian Deaf Community, Australian Association of the Deaf Inc, viewed 1 March 2007, <http://www.aad.org.au/info/deafcomm.php>.
Better Health Channel 2007, Deafness—a range of causes, State Government of Victoria, Melbourne, viewed 1 March 2007, <http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Deafness_-_a_range_of_causes?>.
MDA Internet 2005, Reed Group Ltd, Colorado, viewed 1 March 2007, <http://www.mdainternet.com (secure site)>.
Links to specific types of deafness and hearing loss