A study on the real status and problems in the school life of children with unilateral hearing loss

Abstract

We conducted a survey of all teachers teaching children with unilateral hearing loss (UHL) in public elementary schools in one prefecture in the metropolitan area. According to the teachers, children with UHL did not have significant problems with school performance, language development, communication, or participation in activities. The survey results suggested that UHL did not directly affect the school performance or language development in the children. Children with UHL who had problems with class adaptation tended to have other disorders in addition. In comparison to bilateral mild hearing loss, UHL had lesser impact on language development, and greater impact on the emotional state. Moreover, children with UHL tended not to tell their friends that they had hearing loss in one ear. The results suggested that the problems of children with UHL were qualitatively different from those of children with bilateral mild hearing loss. It is necessary to provide patients, their families and teachers with information on UHL, and to provide support in accordance with the individual needs.