School Functioning of Children with Unilateral Hearing Loss in Comparison to the Functioning of Children with Normal Hearing

The present study assessed the school functioning of children with unilateral hearing loss (UHL) in comparison to the functioning of their hearing classmates. The effect of the degree of hearing loss and the use of hearing aids were assessed as well. Forty-seven elementary school children participated in the study: 33 children with UHL and 14 children with normal hearing. The Screening Instrument for Targeting Educational Risk (SIFTER) questionnaire was used to assess the children\u27s performance in the schools. The questionnaire assessed the children\u27s performance in 5 domains: academics, attention, communication, class participation and school behavior. The results revealed significant differences between the performances of the children with UHL and the children with normal hearing in all SIFTER domains. There was no significant correlation between these verity of hearing loss and the child\u27s performance. There was no significant difference between the children who were fitted with hearing aids and those without hearing aids. The results suggest children with UHL are likely to develop difficulties in school. Teachers should be aware of the adverse effect of UHL and should follow the performance of these children in school closely in order to meet their needs when supplying the necessary services