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Pages 62-80

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From page 62...
... All the children received otological examinations and recordings were made of their hearing losses by means of an audiometric test. SUMMARY OF FINDINGS Following is a summary of the main findings : 1 .
From page 63...
... 1 0. The results of the Bernreuter Personality Inventory analysis suggested, but did not prove, the existence of better adjustment in the case of the aid wearing than in the case of the no-aid children.
From page 64...
... 1 5 . In particular, socially insecure children are inclined to re­ fuse to use hearing aids because they fear that the admission of a physical defect will further weaken their social status.
From page 65...
... For example, they tended to take subjects requiring me­ chanical and technical skills, and to avoid foreign languages and stenography, both of which depend greatly upon oral classroom activities.
From page 66...
... First, it should be reemphasized that considerable social signifi­ cance must be attached to the fact that approximately one-third of the pupils provided with hearing aids had discontinued them and for a long time had not used them at all and that others used the aids only occasionally. It is important for society to determine why children should refuse to take advantage of an instrument which had proved so beneficial to other hard-of-hearing children in many vital phases of life.
From page 67...
... These children thus revealed a desire to do good school work and were realistic in their recognition of the value of the hearing aid in con­ tributing to that end. These aid wearers as a g�oup felt a great need of companionship and wider social relationships and were eag�r to wear hearing aids in order to be included in the social activities of their peers.
From page 68...
... Although they described many instances of social failure and em­ barrassment as a result of the hearing loss, they uniformly remained unconvinced that wearip.g a hearing aid would assist them in mak­ ing a satisfactory adjustment. They were afraid that the device would be taken as evidence of physical inferiority and that this would reduce their social security and prestige below its existing level.
From page 69...
... Most of them complained that they wanted more friends and 'rider social activities, just as the aid wearing children did, but they were convinced that the use of the hearing aid was too great a risk to the status quo for them to take in a dubious hope of securing a better social status. In general, the authors of this report believe, although they ad­ mittedly cannot prove it objectively, that more information for these children and more tact and intelligence in directing them would have resulted in enabling them to learn to enjoy the benefits of the hearing aids.
From page 70...
... SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENTS IN THE APPARATUS AND METHODS OF WEARING AN AID Several suggestions can be made for improvements in the con­ venience and appearance of the apparatus itself. Most of the chil ­ dren mentioned difficulties due to the weight and bulk of the in­ strument.
From page 71...
... Expert advice at the time of making first use of the instrument and help in making the physical adjustment to it would ease the initial physical and psychological impact. The hearing-aid manufacturers might issue bulletins, such as many department stores send to their customers, showing adaptation of the latest styles to the needs of aid wearers.
From page 72...
... It appears that some aid wearers need reassurance at frequent intervals. SUGGESTIONS FOR GUIDANCE IN MAKING SOCIAL ADJUSTMENT WHEN WEARING AN AID Since many of the children who neglected their instruments showed ·personality difficulties, the need for · guidance in such cases is apparent.
From page 73...
... A person specializing in the use of hearing aids and the social adjustments involved in adopting them is needed. Some ser.vice is needed that would provide these children with the opportunity to discuss the problems they meet in their everyday life, such as what social groups they would best fit in with, what physical activities they are able to undertake, what musical in­ struments they can play, when they should and when they should not wear their aids.
From page 74...
... Movies might be provided that show the various activities of aid users. Once the aid user or potential aid user is convinced that he can engage in a wide range of normal activities, the adjustment to the aid will be made much easier.
From page 75...
... In those schools where the teacher had discussed with the other members of the group when the child was not present the fact that the child was wearing a hearing aid, the results were uniformly good. In such schoolrooms the aid wearing child may still arouse curiosity ; but such curiosity can be easily satisfied without harm to the aid wearer if the pupils are properly forewarned and advised.
From page 76...
... The teacher should be a well-informed and dependable friend to whom the aid wearing child may go for help in any of his difficulties. In general, it may be said that the one child in three, aproximate­ ly, who refuses to continue to wear the hearing aid is the child who is not well informed about its uses and values and who is not wisely treated and advised by his parents, teachers, and companions when he begins to use the instrument.


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