How to Help Students With Hearing Problems
If you are responsible for teaching a student with a hearing impairment, you need to be thoughtful of their needs while keeping in mind that they are not mentally challenged and should be treated with respect and patience. There are different techniques that you can use that will aid in teaching a student with hearing problems.
- Learn as much as you can about the students hearing problem. Knowing what caused the problem and to what extent the child's hearing is impaired can help you to understand the problem so that you can address it in the classroom.
- Determine if there are aids and modifications that the student uses to assist them in learning. Many hearing impaired students use sign language, hearing aids, amplifiers, and other devices that assist them with learning in a mainstream classroom.
- Speak clearly and directly when you have a hearing impaired student in the classroom. Avoid using excessive wordiness; be direct and to the point to help the hearing impaired student understand what is being said.
- Place the student with the hearing problem in the front of the classroom so that they can clearly see you in order to help them see your facial expressions and mouth so that they can read your lips as you speak. Many hearing impaired people have the ability to read lips to help them interpret spoken words.
- Speak directly to the student that has the hearing problem, even if they are using an interpreter. The interpreter will be able to let them know what you are saying if they were unable to understand.
- Write down lesson plans and notes on the blackboard or projector so that the hearing impaired student can read and copy the directions. Be sure to wait for the student to finish copying the information before speaking. A hearing impaired person cannot write and listen at the same time so it is important that you wait for them to finish.
- Ask the student if they are happy with the techniques that are being used in the classroom to accommodate their needs. Use their feedback as a guide for changes that may need to be made. You can also ask the parents for insight that may be helpful when teaching their child.