Hearing Impairment

     
		
	
What it is

An area of student need, involving a medical condition of the ears that involves a severe impairment in hearing, not corrected fully by hearing aids.

Teaching Strategies

Instructional
• Implement strategies recommended by a teacher of the deaf, audiologist and/or speech and language pathologist, who may work directly with the student.
• Develop and implement modified (i.e. language) and alternative programming expectation as part of the student’s Individual Education Plan (IEP), involving comprehension, oral language, self-advocacy, learning sign, speech, etc.
• Use FM system (microphone that a teacher wears for students with some hearing) and Sound Field system.
• Pair oral instructions with visual (written or pictures) and gestures.
• Face the student when speaking (do not talk when writing on the board).
More...

Environmental

• Use preferential seating to reduce auditory distractions and place student in a position to hear the teacher better.
• Use an FM system.
• Reduce background noise (tennis balls on chair legs, close classroom doors, etc).
• Develop a pre-planned response for emergency evacuation.
• Post a visual schedule.
• Ensure adequate lighting.
• Keep in mind that facial hair(mustache/beards) can reduce the ability to lip read.

Assessment

• Provide choice for assignments (oral and written presentations).
• Check that the student understands the test questions.
• Provide additional time.
• Allow use of assertive technology.
• Provide written instructions.

See the Deaf and Hard of Hearing page for more information and resources.

See also the teaching strategies for these related areas of student need:
Assistive Technology
Articulation Skills
Hearing
Metacognitive Skills
Self-Advocacy Skills
Self-Esteem
Social Skills
Verbal Ability



Resources
Student Needs IPRC Exceptionalites Diagnosed Conditions