A new school year is underway! We’ve compiled some tips for teachers below to guide you in helping your students with hearing loss this year.
Try Specific Communication Strategies
When you’re teaching your lessons, pay special mind to the sound of your voice. Short sentences are easier to follow than long ones. Pause frequently when speaking to give your students time to digest what you said. Speak slowly and clearly whenever possible, but don’t over-enunciate: overemphasis of sounds can distort lip movements, making it harder for the student to speech read or lip read.
Try to keep your whole face visible to the student whenever possible. Eating, covering your mouth or turning your head (even slightly) can impede the student’s ability to follow along.
Engage the student’s attention before speaking with a tap on the shoulder or a wave in their direction. Don’t start until you’re sure they know you’ve started.
Check out our Communication Strategies page for a list of ways to strengthen your communication style for a child with hearing loss. This includes reducing the distance between you and the child, using facial expressions to emphasize what you’re saying, actively listening and being open to repeating yourself if asked for clarification.
Use New Tools
Written teaching aids are very valuable to students with hearing loss. Try to distribute lesson plans in writing ahead of the lesson so all your students can follow along. Other visual aids, like diagrams and videos, are also very helpful. When using video, ensure there’s captioning available.
Adjust Your Classroom Setup
As you consider how to set up the classroom, consider acoustics. Putting acoustical panels on the ceiling or pads under the carpet can help direct and absorb sound waves and improve the listening environment. Close your classroom door when speaking to keep sound from escaping and to minimize distractions that might come from the hallway.
Pay attention to lighting. Some fluorescent lights hum, which could be distracting or obscure what you’re saying. Also, poor lighting might make it harder for the student to see you. Try not to stand in front of a window or bright light, as you’ll be silhouetted and harder to see.
Finally, be intentional with the seating chart if you use one, and allow your student with hearing loss preferential seating if you don’t. It’s best if the
y’re seated at the front of the classroom, and if they have a “good ear,” try to arrange seating so their good ear is facing you.
Advocate Good Communication Practices for All Students
Encourage all your students to wait their turn to speak, without talking over each other or talking all at once. Demonstrate how to project and speak clearly without shouting or over-enunciating. This will make your classroom more welcoming for all students!
For more information on communication strategies and hearing loss, call SH Audiology.
