Final answer:
Those with profound hearing loss are considered deaf, which can severely affect speech perception. The most common type of hearing loss is sensorineural, and treatment options may include devices like cochlear implants. Hearing loss can also impact educational outcomes for children.
Step-by-step explanation:
Individuals with profound hearing loss are considered deaf. There are various types of hearing loss, such as conductive hearing loss, which involves issues in delivering sound to the cochlea, and sensorineural hearing loss, which is the most common form and can be due to a number of factors including aging, trauma, infections, and exposure to loud noises. Profound hearing loss can significantly impact a person's ability to perceive speech, and in the case of a 60-phon hearing loss, they might only hear the lowest frequencies and require much louder speech to understand, if at all. Additionally, gender differences in voice frequencies mean that higher-pitched voices, usually female, may be more challenging to interpret for those with severe hearing loss.
For children with hearing loss, educational outcomes can be affected, with symptoms sometimes being similar to those of ADHD or autism, leading to possible misdiagnosis. Treatments for certain types of hearing loss include cochlear implants, which directly stimulate the auditory nerve to transmit sound information to the brain.