Hearing impairment affects millions of Americans. It can be caused by damage to the inner ear, obstructions, or genetic factors. Communication methods for the hearing impaired include American Sign Language, signed English, speech reading, cued speech, and oral communication. In the classroom, teachers should face students, write on boards, provide printouts, and be aware of classroom noise and positioning to help hearing impaired students learn.

1. Hearing Impairment Learning in a Silent World

2. Hearing Impairment in America 28 million Americans have hearing impairments 2 to 3 out of every 1,000 children is born with hearing loss 10,000 children have cochlear implants

3. What is a Hearing Impairment? Usher Syndrome Profoundly deaf individuals who degress till they are blind Hereditary and environment play a role Sensorineural= damage to the inner ear Conductive= damage by disease or obstructions There can be a mixture of these causes

5. Communication American Sign Language (ASL) Used by the hearing impared to communicate in the US Signed English/ Pidgin Signed English ASL mixed with finger spelling Speech Reading Usually referred to as lip reading Difficult to differentiate some words

6. Communication Cont. Cued Speech Lip reading where motion cues help differentiate certain words and noises I.e. a cue to distinguish between a “p” and “b” Oral communication Use of remaining hearing, speech, and lip reading Simultaneous communication Finger spelling with spoken words

7. Conditions for the hearing impaired May speak normal but have difficulty with faint or distant speech Cochliar implants or hearing aids are common Profoundly deaf may need interpreters Signaling devices help notify the impaired I.e. flashing lights notifying ringing telephone or doorbell

8. In the Classroom

9. In the Classroom Teachers can create activities for all students to bring about understanding Students can wear earplugs during a lesson Teachers do not need to speak louder or over enunciate their words Classroom should be organized with the hearing impaired student closer to the teacher

10. In the Classroom Cont. It is important to write key points on the board including assigments and tasks Never speak with your back turned to the student Give hearing impaired student printouts to help the process Keep the student away from loud areas of the room Never impede the view of the student

11. In the Classroom Cont. Remind students of hearing impaired individuals who have done great things Thomas Edison, Helen Keller, Beethoven Be aware that students hearing can diminish. Students can be referred to the schools audiologist for help.