Deafness/Hard of Hearing

Shelley HollandEd 120

Introduction to the Exceptional Child

Definition of Deafness

• Partially or completely lacking in the sense of hearing.

• Deaf: Of or relating to the Deaf or their culture.

• Webster's online dictionary • The 2 main types of deafness are • 1. Conductive Deafness • 2. Nerve Deafness

Devices to Aid with Hearing Loss

• A cochlear implant is an electronic device that restores partial hearing to the deaf. It is surgically implanted in the inner ear and activated by a device worn outside the ear. It does not restore hearing and the benefits vary by individual. This device is used only by individuals who would not benefit from a hearing aid.

• A hearing aid is a device used to help hard of hearing people hear sounds better. It comes in various shapes and sizes, however the most widely used today are the small styles that fit inside the ear. The microphone on the hearing aid picks up sound and amplifies it passing it through to the ear mold into the child’s inner ear.

Statistics

• Approximately 28 million Americans are reported to have severe to profound hearing loss. The percentage of people who are culturally Deaf and use ASL as their primary language, is much smaller. It is difficult to pinpoint an exact number but estimates are near 500,000 to one million in the United Sates and Canada. Approximate 20 million people in the US have hearing loss.

Sign Language

• There is no universal form of sign language. Like the spoken language, sign language varies from country to country. There can also be regional differences (slang) of sign languages within countries, including the United States.

A few characteristics you might notice in students who have hearing loss or deafness

• May chose younger and or handicapped friends.

• May be isolated and frequently misunderstood by peers.

• May use physical contact to get attention.• Lacks self-confidence.• Withdraws from group activity.• Reading comprehension skills below grade

level.• Written language skills lower than grade level.• Reluctant to seek help.

Difficulties in Educational Achievement related to Deafness/Hearing Loss

• Students who are deaf or have a loss of hearing face many challenges in regards to learning the English language. How to read, spell, use and define vocabulary words, and many other aspects of communication need to be met with a variety of accommodations and technological aids in the classroom setting. The following are a few examples of distinct accommodations and tools that can be used.

Accommodations and Classroom Strategies

• Itinerant teacher of deaf.• Paraprofessional.• Note taker to copy notes.• FM Listening System.• Captioned media program.• Hearing Dog.• Signed books on video.• Peer tutoring.• Remember to keep lights

on, it is hard to speech read in a darkened room.

• Preferential seating near front of room.

• Semicircle seating during classroom discussion.

• Set up buddy support system.

• Use of visual aids, maps and charts.

• Use of overhead projector or smart board.

• Avoid excess movement ,keep hands and paper clear of face.

• Use of sign language by teacher.

• Arrange for peers to learn basic sign language.

Software Programs

• American Sign Language Reference Edition published by m2k for all ages

• The American Sign Language Dictionary published by M2K all ages

• ASL Songs for kids1 published by Institute for Disabilities, research and training ages preschool -2

Types of Communication

• There are several different types of communication means available for deaf or hearing loss people.

Learning Techniques

• The Auditory-Verbal Approach- focus on using audition to improve speech and language development, relying very heavily on technology.

• The Auditory-Oral Approach- Very similar to the Auditory-Verbal differing in the use of visual cues, such as speech-reading and cued speech, where the speaker uses hand shapes to correspond to sounds.

Learning Techniques

• The Bicultural-bilingual Approach. This approach has various methods but most include the following characteristics

• 1. American Sign Language is the first language learned and used with oral English being the second.

• 2. Deaf people help implement the use and development of the program.

• 3. The Deaf Culture and it’s history is a vital part of this program of study.

Websites

• The following are websites that can help parents and educators in their quest for information on deafness and hearing loss.

• 1. American society of Deaf Children at www.deafchildren.org

• 2. Alexander Graham Bell association for the Deaf at http://www.agbell.org

Websites

• 3. www.deafnessabout.com Site has information presented by guide Jamie Burke a deaf adult and graduate of Gallaudet University.

• 4. Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center http://clerccenter.gallaudet.edu/InfoToGo/

• 5. American Speech Language Hearing Association www.asha.org

Role Models• Every child needs a role model. The following is a brief list of

inspiring deaf or hearing loss adults.• Amy Wong – Miss Deaf America 1998 – 2000. Barbara Dodd – Deaf firefighter.• Bonnie Poitras Tucker - Professor of law at Arizona State

University College of Law. • Curtis Pride – Professional Baseball player.• Marlee Matlin – Actor.• Jim Kyte – NFL player who wears hearing aids.• Terence Parkin – Silver medal winner in swimming at the Sydney

Olympic Games.• Tom Ridege – Former Head of Homeland Security.• Connie Briscoe – African American Author.• I. King Jordan – First deaf president of Gallaudet University.• Laurent Clerc – Co-Founder of the first deaf school in North

America.

Tips for Parents Looking for learning Environment

•    The following are some things a parent can look for in a new learning environment.

• Is there background noise from outside, is the class too large?

• Are there support services and assisted technology? Visual aids? Computers?

• Are there any teachers deaf/with hearing loss?• Is your child placed in a class with a diverse

group of peers?• Are there provisions for language development? • Is there a system of accountability for academic

achievement? Regional, or at a state level?

Teacher Interview with Mrs. C, 4th grade General Education USD 259

• How long have you been a teacher?• I have been a teacher for six years now.

• Have you ever taught a deaf or hearing loss student before?• Yes, a student who was untreated.

• What changes or adaptations to your curriculum have you had to make?

• Well, this particular student uses a fm listener device. I also am a certified smart board teacher for the district and I find that this is a particularly useful tool, as it provides a hands on visual aid. We have made a few adjustments to our seating arrangements and we have group discussions in a semicircle making it easier for the student to see who is speaking.

• Has it been a difficult adjustment for the student? No, this student has a hereditary hearing loss and this has been an issue the family has dealt with since kindergarten. The student has very good oral communication skills and also has excellent reading skills. She has also always been in general education classrooms.

•

Teacher Interview• How does the student and her peers interact? • They interact like any other children would. As I stated this

particular student has not yet fully lost all hearing and has been able to verbally communicate since she was a toddler. She also wears hearing aids to help amplify the hearing she does have left.

• Do you have any suggestions for other teachers that might be faced with this situation for the first time?

• First of all follow all guidelines set in the IEP. Try to face things objectively and listen. I would suggest researching as much as you can about whatever disabilities you will be faced with in class. There are several great websites with tips and even lesson plans to help make a smooth transition. Don’t be afraid to make adjustments to your lesson plans as needed. Remember to incorporate visual aids and hands on lessons as much as you can. I have also found that the use of technology is a huge plus for most of my students. They love the hands on experience.

Information Portfolio

• Parents and caretakers can present teachers with an information packet concerning their child. Useful things to include in this notebook would be any necessary medical information, care of FM and the processor if used, questions teachers have asked in the past and your response, educational history and any hints, or suggestions you might have on dealing with difficult situations. This resource can be a valuable tool for parents and teachers throughout your child's educational journey.

DEAF CULTURE

• The Deaf culture plays a very important part for many people who do not view their deafness as a disability merely a cultural difference.

• Many people in the Deaf community are very active in trying to preserve the Deaf culture and what they see as threats to it. Examples being cochlear implants and the use of prenatal genetic engineering.

Works Cited

• Exceptional Learners and Introduction to Special Education 10th edition by Daniel P. Hallahan and James M. Kauffman copyright 2006

• Websters Online Dictionary copyright 2006