# data[].attributes.body
Refers to an individual who has moderate to mild hearing loss. The individual may use sign language, spoken language or both. Often, hard of hearing children use cochlear implants to assist them in hearing.

# data[].attributes.body
Physical condition, pregnancy, child illness, injury, hereditary, age or excessive exposure to sound.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing: Some Definitions | DeafTEC

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A hearing loss can be caused by many physical conditions (e.g., childhood illnesses, pregnancy-related illnesses, injury, heredity, age, excessive or prolonged exposure to noise), and result in varying degrees of loss. Generally, hearing loss is categorized as mild, moderate, severe, or profound.

# data[].attributes.body
This website is a great resource for a teacher of a hard of hearing student because it offers simple adjustments that the teacher can make in his/her classroom. For example, it talks about keeping background noise to a minimum, giving the student a copy of the notes, and address the child by name. All the suggestions in this website are easy for the teacher to implement but they could be extremely helpful for the student.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Hearing aid and cochlear implant technologies do wonders to help children with hearing loss hear, speak and participate fully in a mainstream educational setting. But there are still some accommodations needed to help students who are deaf and hard of hearing achieve their full potential in the classroom.

With the back-to-school season right around the corner, here are CHC's recommended tips for teachers of students with hearing loss.
Understand/Get to know your student
Recognize his/her unique needs - Each student will have personal preferences when it comes to maximizing hearing and ensuring optimal communication. We suggest a private meeting with the parents and the student (ages 12 and up) to try to find some common ground where you can help be an advocate for him/her.
Facilitate communication in the classroom

Keep background noise to a minimum - Please do not open windows, allow side conversations, run the pencil sharpener, turn on loud electric fans/AC units, move chairs around, etc. while class is in session.

Enunciate your words - Speak naturally without exaggerated lip movements; be clear and easy to understand.

Address the child by name - This will help your student with a hearing loss know you are speaking to him/her.

Repeat the question - Many times when a student asks a question, other students cannot hear what was asked. Repeating the question will help all students understand the answer.

Project your voice when far away - This will help not only your student who is hard of hearing, but the whole class.

Other things you can do

Give your student a written copy of notes - Providing an outline of the lesson will allow the student to listen to all of the important points you make. If this cannot be done, help your student obtain notes from a classmate who takes quality notes.

Check in - Create a signal with your student who is hard of hearing to use to be sure he/she understands the instructions. It is also advised that you ask other students if they have heard/understood the directions to avoid always singling out the child with hearing loss.

Turn on closed captioning when playing videos in class - This will help your student with a hearing loss better understand the video.

Learn to easily operate the FM system - Your student may be self-conscious about the FM system, or any other assistive listening devices used in the classroom. It would be ideal for you to conduct a trial run with your student before class.

What to avoid

Facing the board as you speak

Chewing gum as you talk to students

Singling out students with hearing loss

Learn more
Dana Selznick, MA, MEd, Coordinator of CHC's Family Resource Center, is available to address any questions you might have regarding classroom accommodations and other topics related to the academic needs of students with hearing loss. She can be reached at (917) 305-7855 or dselznick@CHChearing.org.

Other educational support services available at the Center for Hearing and Communication include:

IEP support

School in-services

1-to-1 academic support

Academic assessments

School application assistance

Social skills groups

Request more information "

With proper guidance and accommodations, children with hearing loss can achieve their listening, learning and academic potential. In fact, alumni of CHC's children's program typically thrive in mainstream schools and often attend top colleges and universities. With the right support, they can look forward to a future of unlimited possibilities.

Click below to hear from Ali, a talented CHC alumnus who will be heading off to Harvard later this summer. Thank you, Ali, for speaking at our golf fundraising event and for participating in the 2015 Winter Appeal! Best of luck with your studies.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Tips for teachers of students with hearing loss | CHC blog

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Hearing aid and cochlear implant technologies do wonders to help children with hearing loss hear, speak and participate fully in a mainstream educational setting. But there are still some accommodations needed to help students who are deaf and hard of hearing achieve their full potential in the classroom.

# data[].attributes.headline
10 Challenges that a deaf or hard of hearing student faces. 

# data[].attributes.subject
10 Challenges that a deaf or hard of hearing student faces. 

# data[].attributes.body
This website addresses the small things that may be in a classroom that could heavily effect the child's learning. These things are as simple as florescent lights and classroom acoustics. This website would be a great resource for teachers because before a teacher can help her students, she needs to get to know some of their everyday challenges.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Imagine trying to learn a lesson in a classroom trapped inside of a clear sound-proof box. The only way you can gather information is visually and you will be tested on what you've learned - or were supposed to have learned - at the end of the day. Seems a bit unfair, doesn't it?

The only way you can gather information is visually and you will be tested on what you've learned - or were supposed to have learned - at the end of the day. Seems a bit unfair, doesn't it?

This could be anything from the basic ABC's to complex mathematical equations - deaf and hard-of-hearing students face many challenges in their day-to-day lives. So much so that their challenges in the classroom are all too often over-looked.

With that being the case, here are 10 challenges that deaf and hard-of-hearing students face in the classroom, along with guidelines for teachers on how to mitigate them:

Also, we recommend not placing a deaf or hard-of-hearing student near the A/C unit in a portable building or near a window. Hearing aids can pick up and amplify all outside sounds - making it impossible to understand what is happening inside of the classroom if you place a student by a window. Be mindful that if there is carpet in the room-it helps with the distinction of sounds versus hardwood floors, allowing sounds to bounce around and become overwhelming.

To minimize this educational gap, teachers could present the directions of tasks in an assortment of ways to be positive that the deaf student will comprehend and complete tasks properly. It is important to not assume that because a student can hear sound and voices, that he or she can distinguish speech and process acoustical language.

This lack of engagement and attention often wears on the child, making them tired and can cause headaches. When arranging seating charts, keep in mind that it is best to incorporate deaf students into smaller groups. This will help the child relax and focus on their school work rather than unwanted, distracting social interactions.

These are only 10 of the many challenges that deaf and hard-of-hearing students face in the classroom, and we hope it helps open conversations in your school and district about taking a few additional steps to assist deaf students in the classroom. By acknowledging the challenges deaf students are facing and implementing strategies to alleviate those learning barriers, teachers create a learning environment that will benefit all students every day.

For more, see:

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
10 Challenges Deaf Students Face in the Classroom

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Imagine trying to learn a lesson in a classroom trapped inside of a clear sound-proof box. The only way you can gather information is visually and you will be tested on what you've learned - or were supposed to have learned - at the end of the day.

# data[].attributes.headline
5 Tips for teaching students with hearing imparements

# data[].attributes.subject
5 Tips for teaching students with hearing imparements

# data[].attributes.body
This website suggests small things that a teacher can do to make a huge impact on the student. One of the suggestions is to have on the captions when watching a video or presentation. It also suggests the use of technology in the classroom because it has been found beneficial for the hard of hearing student.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Kids using tablets in class

1. Use captions
All students benefit from captions and especially those who are Deaf or hearing-impaired, plus those with English as a second language. To cater for these students it is important to use only captioned multimedia such as TV, online video and DVDs. Captions provide vital access to multimedia content. Media Access Australia'sCAP THAT! initiative was created to focus on the importance and use of captions in the classroom, and still provides relevant advice and downloadable resources.

2. Make use of available technology
Many classrooms are now equipped with technologies such as interactive whiteboards (IWBs) and soundfield amplification systems. If you have access to these technologies or anything similar, ensure that you've been briefed on how to best use them to complement your teaching. A simple Google search will confirm just how much choice is out there.

3. Use visual stimulus
Students who have a hearing impairment require visual cues/ support in their learning to assist their understanding of content. And of course, so do children who have English as a second language. Teachers can use visual stimuli such as providing lesson outlines, main points and any directions on IWB or display boards to help these students.

4. Consider classroom arrangement
There are always variables as to where a student who has a hearing impairment should sit in the classroom. Ensure that these students are in a position where your face (and ideally the faces of other students if they are participating in class discussion) are clearly visible, and where the sound of your voice is least obstructed.

5. Keep unnecessary noise to a minimum
Students who have a hearing impairment find it very difficult to concentrate when there is background noise. Blocking out some or all of this noise through closing doors or windows can be a simple and effective measure. Remember that even if your student or students use assistive hearing technology, they do not hear in the same way that their peers do. They will benefit from having unnecessary background noise to a minimum.

Top of page

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Five tips for teachers of students with hearing impairment

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Kids using tablets in class Use captions All students benefit from captions and especially those who are Deaf or hearing-impaired, plus those with English as a second language. To cater for these students it is important to use only captioned multimedia such as TV, online video and DVDs.

# data[].attributes.body
This video shows a teacher using an FM system, which makes what the teacher is saying louder. The video shows the importance of the teachers voice being louder for the hard of hearing student.

# data[].attributes.body
In this video, the teacher uses technology to assist her students in their reading material.

# data[].attributes.body
This resource offers some simple activities that teachers could implement that will help children in their language acquisition.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Five language activities for children with hearing loss of any age at any...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
These five activities can be used to practice vocabulary and elicit a variety of language structures for students with hearing loss at any age.

# data[].attributes.body
This resource is great for parents because it has links to all the organizations and help that is out there for hard of hearing individuals. This website points parents in the right direction for financial aid, educational resources, and doctors.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Resources | Parent’s Guide to Hearing Loss | CDC

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
This section includes website addresses, contact information, and brief descriptions for organizations that provide information related to children with hearing loss and their families.

# data[].attributes.body
This website breaks down all the decisions that parents may have to make for their hard of hearing child. It provides some guidance on these decisions and some resources, such as discussion boards, that can ease the parents mind while making these hard decisions.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Decision Modifications - Decisions - My Baby's Hearing

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
You will make and modify many decisions as your child grows. Learn the steps to decision modification.

# data[].attributes.body
This video walks through the steps in creating a notebook that the parent will keep all their child's important documents in. It will contain things such as IEPs, some important things about the child, and medical information. This notebook would be helpful for when the parent goes to the school or doctors appointments, so all their paperwork is organized and easy to access.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Create a Parent Notebook (for Parents of Deaf/Hard of Hearing Kids)