This post was made possible through the support of Cochlear. All opinions are my own.
It’s back to school season, so I bet you’ve spent lots of time arranging (and rearranging) your classroom! As we all do, I’m sure you’ve spent at least a little time reflecting this summer on how you can improve this year.
One area that I’m aiming to grow in this year is to better meet the needs of my students with exceptionalities, including kids that suffer from hearing loss.
As a Cochlear partner, I’m excited to share some research-based suggestions to help you set up and manage your classroom in order to best meet the needs of any students that you have in your classroom now – or in the future – with hearing impairments.
STRATEGIC SEATING
Students with hearing loss should have priority seating towards the middle of the classroom, with proximity to the teacher and visual aids. The goal is to position the child so that he or she can get the best auditory and visual information from the teacher and other students. Make sure that his or her seat is also located away from noisy windows and doors. Fans and air conditioning can produce a lot of noise, too!
IMPROVE YOUR ACOUSTICS
Background noise can make it more challenging for children with hearing loss to understand the spoken language. Rugs, pillows, curtains, and cork boards help absorb that background noise and improve the room’s acoustics. Covering chair legs with felt or tennis balls helps, too!
TRY A MINI MICROPHONE
Some students may benefit from your use of a Cochlear™ Wireless Mini Mic 2 or 2+ so that your voice stands out clearly. This makes listening and understanding much easier for a hearing-impaired child in a busy, noisy classroom.
GIVING INSTRUCTIONS
Have high expectations for your students’ behavior. Wait for the whole class to be quiet and respectful before giving new spoken instructions.
If a student with hearing loss needs additional support, alternate giving directions with actionable steps. That way, the student can take a break from the concentration needed to hear and then process instructions.
WORKING WITH OTHERS
When working in groups, reduce the number of students in each small group. Less students means closer quarters and less people’s conversations to keep up with.
If necessary, you can use the buddy system. Let classmates take turns being the child’s “hearing buddy.”
PREPARE WELL
Depending on your situation, you may need to inform school staff and classmates before the child starts school. Providing information about hearing loss in general, as well as the child’s specific hearing impairment and device, can help minimize teasing that occurs due to ignorance. Teach the class about basic strategies to make listening and communication easier for their hearing-impaired classmate.
Although these suggestions are a good starting point to make learning more accessible for your students, it’s just the beginning! Find more information, including a guide for teachers, on Cochlear’s Live Life Learning site.
Views expressed are those of the individual. Consult your health professional to determine if you are a candidate for Cochlear technology.
Please seek advice from your health professional about treatments for hearing loss. Outcomes may vary, and your health professional will advise you about the factors which could affect your outcome. Always read the instructions for use. Not all products are available in all countries. Please contact your local Cochlear representative for product information.
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