HEARING IMPAIRMENTS – teaching tips

1. Use visual aids to help the child understand the lesson: use lots of pictures, graphics, and text
labels. Many students with hearing trouble are visual learners. Write on the
whiteboard/blackboard/flipchart to support verbal instruction.

2. Use captions: When using films, videos, or other forms of visual media make sure that the
captioning is used so the student can read what is being said in the film or video.

3. Use visual cues: most students with hearing loss can speech read to some extent. To help them,
face them when you talk, talk slowly and clearly. Use lively gestures and facial expressions when
teaching. Don’t speak while writing on the board.

4. Make seating changes: Kids with hearing loss may need to sit closer to the front of the class to
speech read (read lips) or hear more clearly. Also consider arranging chairs in your classroom in a
U-shape or circle so that students with hearing loss can better interact with classmates.

5. Minimize background noise when possible: This may mean finding quiet areas for a student to
work.

6. Check the classroom has plenty of light. That way the student can better see visual material and
demonstrations. This will also help with lip-reading or if an interpreter is present. When
communicating with the student, check that you are not standing directly in front of windows
and light sources.

7. Consider hearing assistance technology. It’s a good idea to use an FM system. This device helps
a child with hearing loss or listening problems hear their teachers better in a noisy classroom. To
use the system, a teacher wears a microphone/transmitter and the student wears the receiver,
which amplifies sound.

8. Check frequently for understanding and questions. Students who are hard of hearing might be
unwilling to interrupt when they don’t understand. Give them more opportunities by pausing
more frequently to check for understanding and make it very clear when you’re about to change
topics and move on to something else, and allow some time for final notes or processing.

9. Make sure the student does not miss vital information. Write down all assignments, changes in
the schedule, and any other important information that the student needs to know in the
classroom. The student needs to be clear about what assignments are due when and any other
schedule change, for example, in the classroom so that the student is on the same page as the
other students in the classroom.

10. If the student has an interpreter, still speak to the student. Talk to the student because it shows
him or her respect and because the student needs to learn how to interact with you in case the
interpreter is not there one day
11. Institute a buddy system - such as a classroom helper or official note-taker.
12. In a group discussion, ensure that one person is speaking at a time. Point to the speaker or
have speakers raise their hands. It may be necessary to repeat questions or comments so the
student can keep up with the discussion.
13.