FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

A student with a hearing impairment typically experiences delays in which area?

1. Developing social skills

2. Developing vocabulary skills

3. Reading comprehension

4. Mathematical reasoning

The correct answer is: Developing vocabulary skills

A student with a hearing impairment typically experiences delays in developing vocabulary skills due to reduced access to auditory information. Hearing is crucial for language acquisition, particularly in the early years when children are most receptive to learning spoken language. When a child has a hearing impairment, they may miss out on crucial verbal interactions with peers and adults, which can limit their exposure to new words and phrases. This limited exposure can lead to a smaller vocabulary and difficulties in understanding and using language effectively. Vocabulary development is foundational for other areas of learning, including reading comprehension and social skill development, since language is a primary means of communication. Thus, the challenges in vocabulary acquisition significantly impact overall academic and social success for students with hearing impairments. In contrast, while social skills can also be affected due to communication barriers, it is specifically the vocabulary acquisition that poses a more direct challenge stemming from the hearing impairment itself.