SUPPORTING HARD OF
HEARING CHILDREN IN
YOUR CLASSROOM
Overview
What is hearing loss?
 How can you support children with
hearing loss in the classroom?
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Technology
Classroom Modifications
Communication Strategies
Teaching Strategies
Resources
Types of
Hearing Loss
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There are three basic types of
hearing loss: conductive hearing loss ,
sensorineural hearing loss and mixed
hearing loss.
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Conductive loss is when sound is not
conducted efficiently through the outer ear. It can be caused by malformation of the
ear or ear canal (which can usually be surgically corrected) or due to an infection or
build up of wax. Many children will experience conductive hearing loss temporarily.
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Sensorineural hearing loss is when the sensors or nerve fibers which connect the
inner ear to the hearing center in the brain are damaged.
 This causes problems with reception of sound in the inner ear or in the
transmission of electrical impulses along the auditory nerve to the brain.
 Since damaged nerve fibers do not regenerate or repair themselves like some
other parts of the body, this damage is permanent.
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Mixed hearing loss is a combination of the two.
Will has Sensorineural Hearing Loss!
Will’s Audiogram
Understanding hearing loss
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How do hearing aids work?
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Like glasses, hearing aids amplify sound.
However, the do not necessarily make the sound clearer. Hard of
hearing people often have some gaps in what they hear.
How can you figure out this word?
Listening is hard work!!!!
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Hard of hearing people must make extra effort to
process information:
◦ Recognize what they do hear.
◦ Fill in the blanks for the rest using context and prior
experience.
If the information is unfamiliar, it will be difficult
to accurately fill in the blank.
 Wrong interpretations feel right – people don’t
know what they don’t know.
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◦ It is not enough to say, “tell me if you don’t
understand” – check for understanding!
Other noise makes it even harder!

As the teacher, it is
important to make sure
that your voice is heard.
◦ Get close to the student
or use an FM system.
◦ Make sure the student can
see your mouth.
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People wearing hearing
aids hear what is closest
to them the loudest.
Typically hearing people’s
brains filter out
unimportant sounds.
Hearing aids cannot do
this.
What can you do?
Technology
 Classroom Modifications
 Communication Strategies
 Teaching Strategies
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Technology – Hearing Aids
Behind the Ear
Hearing Aid
1.
Microphone inputs with
Microphone Protector
2.
Program switch (optional)
3.
Battery compartment with
ON/OFF switch
4.
Hook / sound output
5.
Individual earmold
Remember!
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Hearing Aids cost more than my car!!!! Please take care of them!
•
Hearing Aids cannot get wet. Please remove for activities that involve
water.
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On younger children, make sure that hearing aids don’t get lost.
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Keep extra batteries on hand.
Technology - FM System
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Turn on the FM receiver and transmitter whenever the hard of
hearing person needs to hear what you are saying and there is
noise or distance between you and the student.
◦ During group activities
◦ During “center-time” or independent play time if you are talking to Will and/or you
need his attention.
◦ During outside play time if you need to get Will’s attention. (Outside you can keep the
FM on “MUTE”, and then un-MUTE it when you need Will’s attention -- for example,
when you tell children to come inside).
◦ When watching a video – you can put the microphone next to the TV speaker or
hook it into the audio jack.
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It is OK to let other children talk into the mic during group discussions.
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Turn the FM OFF (both the transmitter and receiver), when:
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You are talking to another person and Will should not hear the information.
In the bathroom.
If you will be loud (i.e. you are cheering for kids in a race)
It is OK to keep it on even when you are not talking directly to the hard of hearing
child. Other children learn when overhearing people talk. The FM allows hard of
hearing children to overhear conversations.
General Classroom Modifications
While these modifications will help children with diagnosed hearing loss, it is also
likely that you have students with conductive hearing loss in your class all the time!
These modifications can help many children!
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Add carpeting, area rugs or drapes to the classroom. If you don't have carpeting,
attach tennis balls to the bottom of chair legs to stop chairs from scraping on the
floor
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Focus on reducing background noise as much as possible (i.e., loudly ticking clocks, air
conditioning units, open door to hallway, noise from open windows, etc.).
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Add other noise absorbing materials such a cork board to the walls.
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Consider background noise when choosing the child's seating placement.
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Use fully lighted classrooms.
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Make sure videos are captioned.
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Provide written school announcements (or make sure you make announcements face
to face).
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Use FM system.
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Select classrooms away from noise, i.e. adjacent traffic, road construction, playgrounds,
cafeterias, music/band room, gymnasium. Try to minimize noise by shutting the door if
necessary.
Communication Tips
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Focus on familiarity of topic – be very clear about unfamiliar vocabulary.
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Reduce the distance between the student and the speaker.
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Speak directly to the student, never behind or over the shoulder .
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Many words and sounds look the same on the lips; do not repeat a single
word over and over again if the student does not understand; use another
word or phrase to express the same thought.
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Get the persons attention before you speak.
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Try to speak to the student from a position which allows for adequate light
to fall upon your face; shadows make lip movements difficult to see; don't
exaggerate lip patterns.
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Repeat what other students say, especially questions that they ask.
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Be aware of acoustic conditions, especially noise interference; allow the
child time to respond.
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Remember that two people with almost identical hearing losses may
function very differently; each is an individual; seek help from other
professionals or agencies whenever you have a question or problem.
Teaching Tips
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Expect behavior and achievement levels which are similar to that of your
other students.
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Use visual aids whenever possible. This will provide additional access to
information for all types of learners and benefit the deaf or hard of hearing
child as well as the entire class.
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Present new vocabulary to the student prior to the lesson. This will enable
the child to recognize the word and maximize comprehension during the
lesson.
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Be aware that the deaf or hard of hearing student is expending extra
energy to attend and may fatigue easily. Allow for an occasional break.
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Educate the class about hearing loss. Invite a professional in if possible to
answer questions the students may have. Allow the children to see and
learn about the assistive technology that will be used in the classroom.
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Be positive. If your attitude is positive, it will carry over to the class.
Resources
http://www.ncbegin.org/school_issues :
Beginnings has lots of information on hearing
loss and tips for teachers and families.
 http://www.phonak.com/com/b2c/en/multius
ed_content/iframe_apps/fm_eschooldesk.ht
ml: The eSchoolDesk includes many useful
tips and recommendations for daily life,
background information and articles about
FM.
 http://www.listen-up.org/haid/with-aid.htm:
Listen Up has a wide vareity of information
about hearing loss and technology.
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How will this information impact the
ways you work with HOH students?
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