Hearing Impairment/Deaf Resources For Teachers

1.) What should be included in the class room to support a hearing impaired student:

INTERGRATION OF AN INTERPRETER:  This is most often situated in front of the classroom and teacher. This is so the student can have both the interpreter and teachers field of vision as visuals are important part of communication for a hearing impaired person. A person with hearing impairment can rely on visuals for communication. Being able to see and at the same time, read the body language of the teacher, this is the most important factor. Seated near the teacher the interpreter can face the student who is deaf or hard of hearing to be included.

It is important to have an interpreter to translate what is being said in class, so the student can understand what is going on. This important form of visual communication is very helpful to the student. When a film is being shown in class, the interpreter can interpret the film for this student. It is very helpful to the interpreter to know ahead of time when a film is shown so the interpreter can come prepared to class with the necessary tools which the student can see the interpretation. Not being able to see the interpreter’s translation is like watching a movie without sound.

Audiovisual Material:
The use of videotapes in classes, having the class lecture on an overhead projector to help assist the hearing impaired student.


2.) What should the teacher prepare the general education classroom for when having a student in the classroom that has a hearing impairment?

Possible general education classroom modifications:

• The teacher can place the student in the front row seat
• The teacher can face the front of the class when speaking to the students
• The classroom teacher can provide announcements in written form
• The teacher can allow for written work to demonstrate knowledge.
• The classroom instructors can provide personal lecture notes to the student who has a hearing impairment.
• Also teachers can allow students to audiotape lecturer and provide positive reinforcement  

•  Avoid seating the student in heavy traffic areas.

• Make chalk board notes legible.
• Do not be alarmed if the student does not understand and you cannot understand him/her.
• For reinforcement repeat new vocabulary in different contexts.
• Also they should be included in social and group activities. Because of their hearing impairment they may feel excluded because they cannot hear what there peers are talking about. This can lead to frustration.
• The buddy system is another idea. This buddy system can help repeat your directions, give the student a photocopy of notes taken during the films and repeat information coming over the intercom system, making sure the hearing impaired student knows about important dates.

3.) Assistive technology for students with disabilites. Inclusion for hearing impaired students. What support services are avaliable to help students with hearing impairment.

Sound Field System:

This is a system that teacher’s can use, it is a wireless microphone and the speakers are placed inside the classroom. The wireless microphone than transmits the voice of the teacher to the speakers around the classroom, which will amplify the sound for the students. The sound system is also useful for students who suffer from other disabilities. This can have multiple uses.

Visual Alert Signaler:
 This is a device that has a flashing light to alert a deaf person to the ringing of a fire alarm and phone.

Hearing Aids:
Hearing aids can amplify all sounds for a person that has a hearing loss. They can come in many different sizes and shapes. Depending on the type of hearing loss, the student may have.