Deaf: Deafness, or hearing loss, is a partial or total inability to hear. The severity of the deafness is determined by the level of decibels a person can respond to. It may be ranked as mild, moderate, moderately severe, severe or profound (complete). Causes- Some of the many causes of deafness include: *Hereditary disorders. Some types of deafness are hereditary, usually caused by malformations of the inner ear. *Genetic disorders. Genetic mutations may cause deafness associated with other conditions, such as osteogenesis imperfecta, Trisomy 13 S and multiple lentigines syndrome. *Prenatal exposure to disease. A baby can be born deaf or with hearing problems if they are exposed to certain diseases in utero, including rubella (German measles), influenza and mumps. Other factors that are thought to cause congenital deafness include exposure to methyl mercury and drugs such as quinine. *Trauma, such as perforation of the eardrum or a skull fracture. *Disease. Certain diseases can cause deafness in children, including meningitis, mumps, cytomegalovirus and chicken pox. Treatment: For children with mild to moderate hearing loss, a hearing aid may be utilized. For those with more severe hearing loss, some children will benefit from a cochlear implant. Cochlear implants are small hearing devices fitted under the skin behind the ear during surgery. They have an external sound processor and internal parts including a receiver coil and an electronics package. The external processor takes in sound, analyses it and then converts it to signals which are transmitted across the skin to an internal receiver-stimulator. Signals are then sent to the brain along the hearing nerve as normal. This means that cochlear implants are only suitable for people whose hearing nerves are functioning normally. Other children might benefit from a device called a BAHA, which are for children who have congenital deafness. Prognosis: Children with hearing loss often learn with their other senses and can learn to communicate using sign language or picture cards. Most people who are deaf live very successful and full lives.
Love Without Boundaries[1]
Links for this Special Need:
http://www.adoptspecialneeds.org/special-needs/sensory-conditions/#javelin_faq96_112
http://signsforhope.org/resources/deafadoption
http://www.rainbowkids.com/special-needs/hearing/deaf
http://www.asha.org/default.htm
http://www.handsandvoices.org/
https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/deafchinaadopt/info
Deaf/HOH Adoption Support Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/673274742682593/
Stories or Blogs from Families who have Parented a Child who is Deaf or Hearing Impaired:
http://www.nohandsbutours.com/2014/02/02/waiting-child-highlight-adopting-a-deaf-child/
http://www.nohandsbutours.com/types/sensory/
http://www.ourjourneytoluke.blogspot.com/
http://growingourfamilyto7.blogspot.com/
www.apiecewaitinginchina.blogspot.com
http://theaidenadventure.blogspot.com/
http://www.heartswideopen-merissayusko.blogspot.com/
http://www.heartsforeverchanged.blogspot.com/
http://www.made2loveyou.blogspot.com/
http://www.heartsset.blogspot.com/
http://epicfaile.blogspot.com/
http://www.elijahjohnryder.blogspot.com/
http://benandevansmom.blogspot.com/
[1] Love Without Boundaries – http://www.adoptspecialneeds.org/
