What technology is available for students who are hard of hearing deaf?

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According to Deafness Forum Australia, approximately one in six Australians has a significant hearing loss. Within this population, most individuals have some level of hearing impairment and only a small proportion of the group is deaf. Types of hearing loss include sensorineural (nerve-related), conductive (affecting the outer or middle ear) or a mixed hearing loss (mixture of both types.) People who use Australian Sign Language (Auslan) often prefer to be referred to as deaf rather than hard of hearing. They see this as a positive identity rather than a negative label.

Almost all information conveyed in educational institutions is done so through speech. For students who are deaf or hard of hearing participating in the educational environment means not only being able to receive information that is communicated by voice, but it also means being able to respond to and actively contribute to a conversation as it occurs. Technology plays an important role in facilitating successful access to educational experiences. All the technology listed below is suitable for both deaf and hard of hearing people in a “receiving mode”, and ultimately the choice of preferred technology rests with individual students.

It should be noted that most of the technology in this section is not suited for students who use Auslan as their primary language as they will require an Auslan interpreter to be their voice, or alternatively use pen and paper or typing to convey their thoughts and comments.

Did you know...
- Approximately 85% of all DHH students in the United States are educated in public school programs with 43% spending most of the school day in general education classrooms (U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, & Office of Special Education Programs, 2004).- In general, the average academic achievement of DHH students is considerably below that of their hearing peers (Traxler, 2000).-Around 466 million people worldwide have disabling hearing loss, and 34 million of these are children (World Health Organization, 2020).- 60% of childhood hearing loss is due to preventable causes (World Health Organization, 2020).

- A mild hearing loss can cause a child to miss as much as 50% of classroom discussion (CHC, 2016).

FM System- FM systems send the teacher's voice from a wireless microphone directly to a receiver worn by a student with hearing loss. It can be connected to a hearing aid or cochlear implant, or a headset/ earbuds. This enhances what the child is able to hear as they are able to directly hear the teacher's voice without distractions.
Closed Captioning- Closed captions provide spoken dialogue as printed words on a screen when playing a video or audio. If indicated on a child's IEP, schools are required to use captioned audio and video.
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)- AAC devices are communication devices, systems, tools, and strategies that replace or support verbal communication for those who have difficulties using speech. They use pictures or symbols to represent words that students can use to create phrases or sentences to communicate nonverbally. This is a useful way of communication between deaf students and their teachers and peers that do not know sign language. Most AAC devices in classrooms are on iPads/ tablets, or they can also be done on paper.
Speech to Text- Speech to text devices convert spoken word into written text. There are many apps on technology devices that use a microphone to decipher what the speaker is saying, and then translate it to text on the screen. This can be a helpful tool during lectures so students can pay attention to what the teacher is saying and keep the transcript as their notes, rather than having to take down the notes. Some examples of speech-to-text apps are Google Live Transcribe and AVA, which both translate spoken word into written text.

Keep background noise to a minimum – Do not open windows, allow side conversations, run the pencil sharpener, turn on loud electric fans/AC units, move furniture around, etc. while class is in session.
Enunciate your words – Speak naturally without exaggerated lip movements; be clear and easy to understand.
Address the child by name – This will help your student with a hearing loss know you are speaking to him/her.
Repeat the question – Many times when a student asks a question, other students cannot hear what was asked. Repeating the question will help all students understand the answer.
Project your voice when far away – This will help not only your student who is hard of hearing, but the whole class.
Provide your student with a written copy of notes – Giving an outline of the lesson will allow the student to listen to all of the important points you make. It may be difficult for them to listen and take notes at the same time, so providing them with this gives them the chance to focus fully on what is said during the lesson.
Check in – Create a signal with your student who is hard of hearing to use to be sure he/she understands the instructions. Be sure ask other students if they have heard/understood the directions to avoid always singling out the child with hearing loss.
Preference seating- Encourage students with hearing loss to sit at the front of the classroom to allow for better hearing and an unobstructed view of you and the board
Avoid- Facing the board when teaching, chewing gum when speaking to students, and singling out DHH students

The READS Collaborative program for children who are Deaf or hard-of-hearing
The READS Collaborative program for children who are Deaf or hard-of-hearing provides educational services within a public school setting for preschoolers through age 22. Students are introduced to mainstreamed classes in the lower elementary grades, as appropriate, to gradually introduce them to using an interpreter. When entering high school, students have the option of taking general education classes and/or enrolling in vocational programming. The Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Program provides services tailored to each student's type of hearing loss, communication needs, and choice of amplification (hearing aids or cochlear implants).
The CAPS Education Collaborative
The CAPS Education Collaborative provides programs for Deaf/Hard of Hearing Students at the preschool, elementary, and high school levels. Programs are designed to meet the range of learning needs in a variety of group configurations, including 1:1 instruction. Individual staff members accompany students from the program who are integrated into general education classes.
The EDCO Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
The EDCO Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is Massachusetts oldest high school program for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students. EDCO offers the unique opportunity for education either in self-contained (Deaf and hard of hearing students only) or integrated (Deaf and Hearing students together) classrooms. EDCO's focus is middle school through high school, grades 6 through 12, with the program housed in the Newton public Schools. The EDCO Program is a total communication program designed to meet individual students' needs.
Massachusetts Transition Resources for Young Adults Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
A brochure developed by the pepnet 2 State Team.
The Massachusetts Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (MCDHH)
MCDHH is a commission, under the Executive Office of Human Services, which serves as the principal agency in the state on behalf of deaf, late deafened and hard of hearing people.
Massachusetts Association of Approved Private Schools (MAAPS)
This school directory lists the name and address of schools, contact information and includes rates and types of disability and needs served.
Massachusetts Organization of Educational Collaboratives (MOEC)
This is the Commonwealth's primary advocate for and facilitator of in-district collaboration in education and related services.
The Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program
The Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program at Children's Hospital Boston provides comprehensive evaluation and consultative services to deaf and hard of hearing children, their physicians, families, schools, and other agencies.