UNDERSTANDING THE IMPACT OF SINGLE SIDED HEARING LOSS

BY ROBIN BLIVEN

Old theories led us to believe that strong speech/language development and consequently academic success could be achieved with one typical-hearing ear.

Research compiled over the last 15 years has radically changed the profession's viewpoint on Unilateral Hearing Loss (UHL) or Single Sided Deafness (SSD). Many of these old beliefs are still being adhered to in

both the medical and educational settings. It is vital to the success of children with unilateral hearing loss that we update our way of thinking and practice, in order to improve outcomes and long term success.