Working with Scouts who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing Irene Zachry ASM Troop 477 S4-83-14-1 Participant S4-83-16-1 Staff

What is a hearing loss? Reduction in the ability to understand the spoken word. Three Basic Types of Hearing Loss Mild Moderate Severe

What is it like to have a hearing loss.

Add Background Noise

Step 1. Learn how the person prefers to communicate Oral/ Aural Sign Language Lip Reading Written

Be Patient, for both of you Step 1. Be Patient Be Patient, for both of you Don’t fixate on only one way to get your message across Don’t get frustrated

Step 3. Always be inclusive Never speak to the group while your back is turned. Always check for eye contact before speaking Use visuals in attention getting

Step 4. Never Dismiss the Message Don’t give up and say, “Never Mind” or “It’s not important”. Encourage others to speak directly to the scout, not through you or another adult. Don’t over emphasis your words

Step 5. Lip Reading is NOT Easy! Think it’s easy to read lips? Well only about 30% of the population can actually read lips 100% accurately. Take this online test and let’s see how well you do. http://blog.hearingdogs.org.uk/2014/07/celebrities-lipreading-quiz/ http://www.hearinglink.org/lipreading-quiz

Take turns, especially in large groups. Step 6. Speak one person at a time. Take turns, especially in large groups. Give the person adequate time to change their focus from one speaker to the next

Write announcements down Step 7. Use visuals Write announcements down Use email, text messages and other visuals to provide details

Be comfortable with them Understand basics of how they work Hearing Assistive Devices Be comfortable with them Understand basics of how they work

Hearing Aid Options Behind The Ear (BTE) In The Ear (ITE) In the canal (ITC) Completely in the Canal (CIC) Cochlear Implant (CI)

Hearing Aid Options