Top 10 Tips for Teachers of Students with Hearing Loss

Summary

This video offers 10 essential tips for teachers working with students who have hearing loss. Key points include being prepared by understanding the student’s educational needs, ensuring clear communication, using amplification equipment, reducing background noise, and optimizing classroom seating. Visual aids, captioned media, and providing extra time for comprehension are emphasized. Teachers are encouraged to promote student independence and self-advocacy while fostering an inclusive learning environment that supports both the student’s academic and personal growth.

Takeaways

• 📝 Be prepared: Read the student's FIE and IEP, and understand their learning needs.
• 💬 Be a great communicator: Face the student, avoid shouting, and don't cover your mouth.
• 🎧 Use amplification equipment: Test it daily and consult the special ed director if needed.
• 🔊 Minimize background noise: Use rugs, curtains, or pillows to reduce distractions.
• 🪑 Pay attention to seating: Position the student's better ear towards you and use a well-lit area.
• 🖼️ Use visual aids: Incorporate charts, posters, and write all info on the board.
• 📺 Use only captioned media: Without captions, students can miss up to 75% of content.
• 🐢 Slow down: Allow students time to absorb information before continuing.
• 📚 Instruction must-do's: Provide outlines and review for comprehension; ask students for feedback.
• 🌟 Promote independence: Encourage participation, self-advocacy, and focus on the whole person, not just their hearing.

Q & A

What are the first steps a teacher should take when preparing to teach a student with hearing loss?

Teachers should read the student's FIE (Full Individual Evaluation) and IEP (Individualized Education Program) to understand their specific needs and get to know the student as a learner.

What communication strategies are important when teaching a student with hearing loss?

Teachers should face the student and get their attention before speaking, avoid shouting or exaggerating speech, keep their mouth visible, and ensure the student knows when topics are changing. It's also important to speak directly to the student and not the interpreter.

How should amplification equipment be used in the classroom?

Teachers should ensure they have amplification equipment, test it daily, and coordinate with the special education director to obtain one if necessary.

How can teachers reduce background noise to create a better learning environment for students with hearing loss?

To reduce background noise, teachers can use items like rugs, curtains, or pillows to muffle sounds such as air conditioning or classroom chatter.

What should teachers consider when arranging classroom seating for students with hearing loss?

Teachers should position the student so their better ear faces the teacher and classmates. Additionally, they should avoid standing in front of bright windows or projector screens and arrange chairs in a circle or horseshoe for group discussions.

How can visual aids benefit students with hearing loss?

Incorporating visual aids such as posters, charts, objects, and graphic organizers helps students with hearing loss better follow lessons. Teachers should also write key information on the board and ensure that speakers and interpreters are well-lit.

Why is it important to use captioned media in the classroom?

Students with hearing loss can miss up to 75% of material without closed captions, so it's crucial to ensure that all media, including live-streamed content, is captioned.

How can teachers ensure that students with hearing loss have enough time to process information?

Teachers should slow down the pace of their instruction, giving students time to take notes, read the board, observe experiments, and focus on lip reading.

What instructional strategies are recommended for teaching students with hearing loss?

Teachers should provide outlines and vocabulary lists ahead of time, regularly review content, check for comprehension beyond just asking if the student understood, and ask the student for feedback on communication strategies.

How can teachers encourage independence and self-advocacy in students with hearing loss?

Teachers should have high expectations for the student, encourage class participation, and promote self-advocacy, ensuring that the student feels empowered and involved.