Top 10 Tips for Teachers of Students with Hearing Loss

ESC Region 13

12 Oct 201702:40

Summary

TLDRThis 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.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Introduction to Teaching Students with Hearing Loss

This paragraph introduces teachers to the concept of teaching students with hearing loss. It poses questions to engage teachers by asking if they are prepared to teach such students and mentions that the following tips will be helpful for those who are about to teach a student with hearing loss. It emphasizes the importance of being prepared for the challenges that may arise.

📝 Tip 1: Be Prepared

The first tip focuses on preparation. Teachers are encouraged to read their student's Full Individual Evaluation (FIE) and Individualized Education Program (IEP) to better understand their needs. It also suggests getting to know the student personally and helping them view themselves as learners. This initial step is crucial for building a supportive learning environment.

💬 Tip 2: Effective Communication

This tip provides advice on how to communicate effectively with students who have hearing loss. Teachers should ensure they have the student’s attention before speaking, avoid shouting or exaggerating words, and refrain from covering their mouth. Additionally, they should maintain facial visibility (e.g., a well-groomed mustache) and make it clear when the topic changes. The emphasis is on speaking directly to the student, not the interpreter.

🔊 Tip 3: Daily Use of Amplification Equipment

Teachers are advised to use and test amplification equipment daily to support students' hearing needs. The equipment must be checked regularly to ensure it is working properly. This section encourages teachers to consult with special education directors to acquire the necessary tools.

🔇 Tip 4: Minimize Background Noise

This tip emphasizes the importance of reducing background noise, which can interfere with a student’s ability to hear. Teachers should use materials like rugs, curtains, or pillows to dampen noise from sources like air conditioning or chatter, creating a quieter and more conducive environment for learning.

🪑 Tip 5: Pay Attention to Seating Arrangements

Seating arrangements should be tailored to the student's needs. Teachers should ensure the student’s better ear is facing them and their classmates. It is also important to stand in well-lit areas and avoid sitting in front of windows or projectors. For group discussions, arranging chairs in a circle or horseshoe shape helps facilitate communication and identifying speakers.

🖼️ Tip 6: Use Visual Aids

Visual aids are vital in supporting students with hearing loss. Incorporating posters, charts, objects, and graphic organizers can enhance lesson delivery. Teachers should write all necessary information on the board and ensure that interpreters and speakers remain visible, even if the lights are dimmed for media presentations.

🎥 Tip 7: Always Use Captioned Media

Teachers are advised to use captioned media at all times, as students with hearing loss may miss up to 75% of material without captions. This includes both pre-recorded and live-streamed content. Captioning ensures that students can access and understand all instructional media.

🐢 Tip 8: Slow Down Your Pace

Teachers should slow down their instruction to give students time to read, observe, and focus. It’s important to recognize that students with hearing loss cannot simultaneously take notes, read from the board, observe experiments, and lip-read. Teachers should allow adequate time for students to absorb information before moving forward.

📖 Tip 9: Instructional Must-Do's

This tip outlines instructional strategies, emphasizing the need to provide lesson outlines and vocabulary lists in advance. Teachers should regularly check for comprehension, avoiding yes/no questions like 'Did you hear me?' Instead, they should engage the student in repeating or explaining the lesson. Teachers should also seek feedback from students on how they can improve communication.

🎯 Tip 10: High Expectations and Encouragement

The final tip highlights the importance of maintaining high expectations for both the teacher and the student. Teachers should promote independence and self-advocacy, encouraging students to participate in class and take ownership of their learning. The emphasis is on viewing the student as a whole person, not just focusing on their hearing abilities.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡FIE and IEP

FIE stands for Full Individual Evaluation, and IEP stands for Individualized Education Plan. Both are crucial in understanding a student with hearing loss, as they contain assessments and personalized strategies to support their learning needs. In the video, teachers are encouraged to read these documents to prepare effectively for teaching students with hearing impairments.

💡Amplification equipment

This refers to devices like hearing aids, FM systems, or sound field systems that help amplify sound for students with hearing loss. The video stresses the importance of using and testing this equipment daily to ensure the student receives clear audio support in class.

💡Background noise

Background noise includes any extraneous sounds that can interfere with a student's ability to hear clearly, such as air conditioning, chatter, or even a hamster wheel. The video suggests using soft materials like rugs or curtains to reduce noise and create a more acoustically friendly environment for students with hearing loss.

💡Seating arrangement

This refers to the strategic placement of the student in the classroom to maximize their ability to hear and engage. The video recommends seating the student so their better ear is facing the teacher and classmates, as well as arranging chairs in a circle or horseshoe for group discussions to facilitate better communication.

💡Visual aids

Visual aids are teaching tools like posters, charts, objects, and graphic organizers that enhance learning for students with hearing loss. The video encourages teachers to incorporate these aids into their lessons to provide visual support for verbal instructions, ensuring that information is accessible through both auditory and visual channels.

💡Captioned media

Captioned media includes videos, films, or live-streamed content that have text captions to display spoken dialogue. The video highlights that students with hearing loss may miss up to 75% of content without captions, making it critical for teachers to use only captioned media in their classrooms.

💡Lip reading

Lip reading is a technique used by individuals with hearing loss to understand speech by visually interpreting the movement of the lips, face, and tongue. The video mentions how students may rely on lip reading but emphasizes the need for teachers to avoid exaggerating their speech or covering their mouths to support this method.

💡Comprehension checks

This refers to methods teachers use to ensure students understand the material being taught. The video advises teachers to go beyond simply asking 'Did you hear me?' or 'Did you understand?' Instead, they should review lessons and ask students to repeat back concepts to confirm understanding.

💡Self-advocacy

Self-advocacy involves empowering students with hearing loss to speak up about their needs and take responsibility for their learning. The video encourages teachers to promote independence by fostering self-advocacy, so students feel confident in asking for accommodations or clarifications when needed.

💡Whole person

The concept of 'whole person' refers to seeing and supporting the student beyond just their hearing impairment. The video reminds teachers to consider the student's overall well-being and abilities, encouraging them to focus on the student’s holistic development, not just their hearing challenges.

Highlights

Be prepared: Read your student's FIE and IEP. Help the student see themselves as a learner.

Be a great communicator: Face the student and have their attention before speaking. Avoid shouting or exaggerating speech.

Don't cover your mouth when speaking, and ensure facial hair (like mustaches) is well-groomed.

Speak to the student, not the interpreter. Make sure the student knows when you're changing topics.

Use amplification equipment and test it every day. Contact the special ed director to obtain equipment.

Minimize background noise (e.g., air conditioning, chatter) with items like rugs, curtains, or pillows.

Pay attention to seating: Ensure the student's better ear faces the teacher and classmates, and use seating arrangements like circles or horseshoes for group discussions.

Incorporate visual aids such as posters, charts, objects, and graphic organizers into lessons.

Write all information on the board. Keep interpreters and speakers well-lit if dimming the lights for media.

Only use captioned media. Students with hearing loss can miss up to 75% of material without closed captions.

Slow down: Allow students time to read, look, and focus before continuing to speak.

Provide outlines of daily lessons and vocabulary in advance. Review and check for comprehension.

Encourage students to self-advocate and participate in class activities.

Ask the student if they have any tips for improving communication.

Remember to focus on the whole person, not just their hearing loss, and maintain high expectations for their participation and learning.