The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders reports that more than 28 million Americans are deaf or hard of hearing; over 30 million more are exposed to dangerous levels of noise. Levels of hearing impairment vary from mild but important loss of sensitivity to a total loss of hearing. According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, almost 13 in every 1,000 children under age 18 has some degree of hearing loss as do approximately 54 percent of adults over age 65. Because deafness and other hearing disorders affect so many Americans, from children to the elderly, a reliable source for clear, accessible information written for non-experts is essential. The Encyclopedia of Deafness and Hearing Disorders, Second Edition, Updated provides exactly this type of information for anyone concerned with hearing loss, their own or another's. This updated edition presents important and current information to help readers understand hearing impairment and how it can be successfully treated. More than 600 entries cover parts of the ear, clinical terms, specialists, devices and equipment, organizations, diseases, and more. This updated edition features: New information regarding assistive devices, hearing aids, and cochlear implants New figures on deafness and hearing disorders by country Updated information on many diseases linked to deafness and hearing disorders New guidelines for treating ear infections Current contact information for organizations Plus, updates to the extensive appendixes that list research programs, support groups, periodicals, government agencies, and other resources. Excerpted from Encyclopedia of Deafness and Hearing Disorders by Carol Turkington, Allen E. Sussman All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.
