The field of generic hearing impairment is one where advances take place, and it can be difficult for Audiologists to keep track of the broader picture. This book presents a synoptic approach and summarizes the causes and basis of hearing impairments, the impact on the individual and the therapies available, and the benefits of developments.

The European Union Concerted Action Programme on Genetic Hearing Impairment is concerned with co-ordinating work in this field to advance progress across the European Union, and with promoting collaboration with countries, such as the USA, outside the EU. The aim is to bring together clinical geneticists and audiologists, as well as basic scientists and other clinicians with a general interest in this field, to standardise the audiological and terminological approaches and publish state of the art interdisciplinary studies.

This book addresses the impact of genetic deafness/hearing impairment on people's lives and those around them. It includes the perspectives of those who are deaf or hard of hearing as well as those working in the field. Professional topics include genetic counselling, social science, psychology, social work and - within medicine - audiological and ENT medical and audiological paediatrics. These practitioners are both hearing and hearing impaired. is discussed highlighting the specific effect of genetic factors. In particular there are chapters on deafblindness and otosclerosis and NF2 (a...

This book brings together many of the main conclusions of the European Concerted Action Programme on Genetic Hearing Impairment (HEAR). It is spilt into four sections, covering definitions, protocols, genotype/phenotype relationships and important websites.The section on definitions enables all those approaching the problems of Genetic Hearing Impairment from different backgrounds to communicate in the same language and understand what each is doing more clearly. The definitions are of Audiological, Vestibulogical, Epidemiological and Genetic terms, together with specific terms associated...

Living with Hearing Difficulties is a source-book for professionals who encounter and support individuals with hearing difficulties. It will also be of interest to people with hearing difficulties themselves and those close to them. The book highlights the concept of audiological enablement as being an interactive process requiring the active involvement of both clinician and patient.

The thirteen chapters encompass four sections which broadly follow the categories of the World Health Organization's ICF (2001):

• Section 1 addresses types of hearing disorders, the...