Melanie Dean, Brandi Showers, Chelsea Pence

Chapter 8: Hearing, Vision,

and Sensory Processing Problems

Hearing

Common in children with developmental delays

Identifying hearing loss is difficult based on observations of
childs response
Hearing tests are done by audiologists and headphones with
pitch
2 types of hearing loss:
o 1. Conductive- problems in middle ear, ear infections
o 2. Sensorineural- cause of speech difficulties
What to Do!
o Know the signs and what to expect
o Test by experienced audiologist
o Goal is to know
One ear or both
Degree of hearing loss
Conductive or sensorineural or both
How to Help!
o When identified early can be treated immediately and
aggressively
o Moderate- severe hearing loss
Benefit with hearing loss
o Severe- profound hearing loss
Benefit with cochlear implants
o Early intervention, therapy and special education support
o Oralism- primary means of communication & improve
listening skills
o Another approach emphasizes gestures and sign language
Do what YOU think is best!

Vision

Testing vision- charts with letters for older children

o Pictures and symbols for younger children
Most common problems
o Refractive errors
o Astigmatism

Sensory Procession Problems

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Sense of touch
Sense of balance
Sense of position
Disorders:
o Sensory overresponsivity- exaggerated reactions to
sensory stimuli
o Sensory underresponsivity- may react to slowly or not
at all, (sounds sights and smells)
o Sensory-seeking- need profound need for stimulation,
important to provide activities throughout the day
Occupational therapist may be used in special interventions

Intervention Plan
Hearing1. Hearing test done by audiologist
2. Determine the degree of hearing loss, type and severity
a. Conductive or sensorineural
b. Find out if one or both ears
c. Moderate or severe
3. Early intervention through therapy or special education programs
4. Oralism technique
5. Cochlear implant- surgically implanted electronic device that
provides a sense of sound to person who is profoundly deaf or
severely heard of hearing

Vision1. Test the vision with an eye chart

a. Letters and numbers, or pictures and symbols
2. Determine type and severity
a. Refractive error or astigmatism
3. Can patch the good eye to prevent amblyopia, prevent vision
loss

Sensory1. Determine the type of sensory disorder

a. Overresponsivity, underresponsivity, sensoryseeking
2. Early intervention technique of an occupational therapist