Assistive Technology for Hearing Impaired Students

Accommodations and assistive devices are required by students with hearing impairment to access the educational programming in a classroom setting. Each learner’s needs must be individually evaluated, but following is a generic introduction to the main types of assistive technology for hearing impaired people.

Assistive listening devices are usually used by people who have hearing difficulties or people with hearing impairment. Some people use cochlear implants, also known as FM units, which help reduce background noises. The speaker’s voice transmits through the microphone to a receiver that is connected to the hearing aid or cochlear implant worn by the person who is deaf or hearing impaired is wearing.

Closed Captioning

Closed captioning is the text that goes on the bottom of the television screen to inform deaf people of what is being said. Look for a small box with letters ‘CC’ inside or a small box with a cartoon balloon dialogue marker, to verify if the programs are closed captioned.

Cochlear Implants

A cochlear implant is used in people with severe to profound hearing loss or those who show little or no benefit from hearing aids. It is a controversial device, especially when it is implanted in young children.

Hearing Aids

Hearing aids amplify sounds for the persons with hearing loss. The can come in different sizes and shapes and may vary in position from behind the ear to in-the-ear. Depending upon the type of hearing loss the person may have, the sounds may be distorted and be too loud.

Hearing Loop

A Hearing Loop is a coil of wire that amplifies sound and reduces background noise. Users of hearing aids with a loop can set their aids to a certain setting to receive the transmission. Hearing loops can be permanently installed or portable.

Text Telephones

Text Telephones (TTYs) are the telephones that deaf people use to communicate with others on the telephone. These look like small typewriters and come with an LCD screen and a cradle for the telephone. In order for a deaf person to call on the TTY, the person on the other end must also have a TTY. There is a national relay system that the deaf person on the TTY can use to call anyone who does not have a TTY.

Visual Alert Signalers

Visual Alert Signalers are devices that use flashing lights to alert the deaf person to the ringing of a phone or fire alarm. Mobile phones and pagers also allow deaf users to send emails, faxes, pages and call people who have TTY and through relay.