The nature of hearing impairment and its impact upon learning

Advance preprint of chapter from the forthcoming Disability Studies in Inclusive Education open textbook edited by Judith McKenzie, Kofi Nseibo, Chantal Samuels and Amani Karisa. After completing this chapter, you will be able to: 

• Reflect on experiences of children who are D/deaf or hard of hearing in an empathetic way.
• Understand the nature of hearing impairment, terminology around hearing loss and commonly known causes.
• Examine the effect of severe to profound hearing impairment on children who are D/deaf in the classroom.
• Identify barriers to learning experienced by learners who are D/deaf or hard of hearing. Explain the importance of human rights and policies for learners who are D/deaf or hard of hearing.