Working with the Hearing Impaired

Topics of Discussion What is hearing loss? Decibels and fequencies Hearing Test Impact of hearing loss in the classroom Roles and Responsibilities Amplification Modifications Do’s and Don’ts My Job in all this

Types of hearing loss Conductive Sensiorneural Unilateral Bilateral

Decibels Decibel is the measure of the intensity of the sound, or loudness Mild dB Moderate Moderate Severe Severe Profound 91 or greater

Frequencies Measure of sound vibrations per second Knows as the pitch The higher the number, the greater the pitch

Audiogram- Look at hearing

Hearing Test ng/recognizing_hearingloss/hearingtest.ht mlhttp://phonak.com/phonak/us/b2c/en/heari ng/recognizing_hearingloss/hearingtest.ht ml

Impact of Hearing Loss Misunderstand discussions between peers and teachers Miss information given in lecture Vocabulary is lower Writing is difficult Interacting with peers becomes strained Fatigue Safety issues in gym or during disaster drills

Roles of the Teacher Hold the students accountable for their work Implement the IEP modifications Provide materials to all support staff ahead of time

Roles of the Paras Aide the teacher in her role Check with the student for understanding of directions Help facilitate communication between hearing therapist and other staff Review or repeat key information

Roles of the Hearing Therapist Implement the goals of the IEP Pre-teach lessons and vocabulary Support the student’s needs Educate the staff on equipment and techniques for working with the HI Problem solve equipment Support the staff

My introduction Cathryn Campbell Taught in IL for 6 years as a hearing itinerant Taught for three years at a montessori school in Bucks County Am covering all five buildings here Work with all grade levels, K through 12 th Can reach me at

Amplification Hearing aid FM unit Soundfields –Personal –Classroom

Hearing Aid Worn by the student in the ear Can have one or two Amplifies the sound around the person –T–This includes any background noise Student is able to adjust volume

FM System Directly brings the sound source to the student Does not amplify Is set to a channel to send and receive sound Can be attached to a hearing aid or worn on the ear

Sound Field Systems Also has a receiver and transmitter Uses speakers to transmit Personal –Student has small speaker on the desk Classroom –Speakers are placed around the classroom

Classroom Modifications Use closed captioning when available Face the student when speaking Seat the student close to the instructional area Provide written notes Use amplification Repeat information

The Do’s Speak naturally Rephrase student responses Speak directly to the student Control background noise as best as you can

The Don’ts Turn your back when talking Speak at an unnatural volume or speed Assume the student can hear you Leave the transmitter on when talking to other staff or students Cover your mouth or transmitter

One final thought… I am here to help you!