Hearing Impairments
Hearing impairments can be classified into two major groups as defined by IDEA:
Hearing Impairment- “An impairment in hearing, whether permanent or fluctuating, that adversely affects a child’s educational performance.”
These students may use hearing aids, lip reading, or other classroom amplification systems.
Deafness- “A hearing impairment that is so severe that the child is impaired in processing linguistic information through hearing, with or without amplification.” These students may use ASL (American Sign Language), cochlear implants, lip reading, or other types of assistive technology.
Accommodations and Adaptive Technology Resources (Tips for Educators):
Educational and Social Outcomes:
Early treatment of hearing loss can help reduce speech issues as a child grows up. They can also become more adept at ASL or lip reading when interventions occur at an early age. With new technologies such as cochlear implants, students with hearing impairments have many opportunities to have successful educational and social interactions.
For more information:
Caring for Children with Special Needs- http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/fcs/pdfs/nc13.pdf
University of Florida- Disability Resource Center- http://www.dso.ufl.edu/drc/documents/hearing_loss_instructor_fact_sheet.pdf
University of South Dakota Dead/Blind Program- http://www.usd.edu/medical-school/center-for-disabilities/upload/HI-Class-Accommodations.pdf
Hearing Impairment- “An impairment in hearing, whether permanent or fluctuating, that adversely affects a child’s educational performance.”
These students may use hearing aids, lip reading, or other classroom amplification systems.
Deafness- “A hearing impairment that is so severe that the child is impaired in processing linguistic information through hearing, with or without amplification.” These students may use ASL (American Sign Language), cochlear implants, lip reading, or other types of assistive technology.
Accommodations and Adaptive Technology Resources (Tips for Educators):
- Reduce noise in the classroom environment
- Carpets, area rugs, and soft wall coverings can help reduce background noise
- Keep door to hallway closed
- Tennis balls on chair legs/desk legs can reduce noise levels
- Hearing aids help a child hear better, but they do not restore perfect hearing
- Keep a close proximity between speaker and student
- Student should be seated near the teacher or speaker
- When speaking 3-5 feet from student
- Face student when speaking so student can get assistance from lip-reading. Keep in mind mustaches/beards can impede lip reading. Also, try to stay in one location when speaking
- If applicable, arranging classroom desks in a circle allows student to interact easier with classmates
- Prepare resources ahead of time
- Give overheads, handouts, notes to student before lesson
- Frequently integrate visuals into your classroom routine to reiterate main points
- Voice amplication system in the classroom- This projects the teacher’s voice around the classroom so students can hear it wherever they are
- Learn to use assistive listening devices if student needs one
Educational and Social Outcomes:
Early treatment of hearing loss can help reduce speech issues as a child grows up. They can also become more adept at ASL or lip reading when interventions occur at an early age. With new technologies such as cochlear implants, students with hearing impairments have many opportunities to have successful educational and social interactions.
For more information:
Caring for Children with Special Needs- http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/fcs/pdfs/nc13.pdf
University of Florida- Disability Resource Center- http://www.dso.ufl.edu/drc/documents/hearing_loss_instructor_fact_sheet.pdf
University of South Dakota Dead/Blind Program- http://www.usd.edu/medical-school/center-for-disabilities/upload/HI-Class-Accommodations.pdf