Those in favour of integration, inclusion or mainstreaming argue that educating deaf children within classes of hearing children is less expensive, provides them with normal models of speech and language, and decreases the stigma by fostering better understanding between deaf and hearing children. In the rebuttal, advocates of special schools point out that deaf children do better socially in segregated settings, they receive education tailored to their special needs from skilled, specially trained teachers, and, when deaf children are in an otherwise hearing classroom, there is too often little meaningful communication. There is considerable controversy on methods of teaching communication to deaf children. One group advocates teaching sign language as the first language and the language of the majority hearing culture, that is, reading and writing, as the second. Sign language plays a critical role in the lives of most deaf people.
Sign languages differ from each other just as spoken languages do.
Hearing aids Hearing aids must be custom fitted. Ear moulds are plastic devices which connect the hearing aid to the ear canal. Without a properly fitting ear mould, the hearing aid will squeal with an annoying feedback. Ear moulds are made from impressions of the outer ear, and no two ears are alike. Particularly in young children, ear moulds have a limited life because they must be replaced periodically as the ear grows and changes shape.