Deaf Awareness

Deaf Awareness involves making small, intentional changes to communication and the environment to ensure deaf learners can participate fully. Hearing aids and cochlear implants do not "fix" hearing; they amplify sound, making background noise and distance significant barriers.  

1. Essential Communication Tips 

• Get Attention First: Before speaking, get the learner's attention with a wave, a gentle tap on the shoulder, or by knocking on a table. 

• Face the Learner: Maintain eye contact and ensure your mouth is always visible to aid lip-reading. Avoid turning to write on a board while speaking. 

• Speak Naturally: Speak clearly at a normal pace and volume. Do not shout or over-exaggerate mouth movements, as this distorts speech and can be painful for hearing aid users. 

• Positioning and Lighting: Ensure your face is well-lit. Avoid standing with your back to a window, as the silhouette makes it impossible to lip-read. 

• Repeat and Rephrase: If the learner doesn't understand, try repeating the information once; if they still struggle, rephrase the sentence using different words.  

2. Managing the Environment 

• Reduce Background Noise: Close doors and windows to block out corridor or external noise. Turn off unused equipment like projectors or fans that create an electrical hum. 

• Improve Acoustics: Use soft furnishings, carpets, or felt pads on the bottom of chair legs to dampen the sound of scraping furniture. 

• Inclusive Group Work: Arrange chairs in a circle or horseshoe so the deaf learner can see everyone’s face. Encourage students to speak one at a time and repeat other students' comments so they are not missed.  

3. Visual and Practical Support 

• Use Visual Aids: Supplement spoken information with images, diagrams, and key vocabulary written on the board. 

• Provide Materials in Advance: Giving handouts or lesson outlines before the class allows the learner to focus on the speaker rather than trying to listen and take notes simultaneously. 

• Captions and Subtitles: Always ensure that videos used in class have clear, accurate subtitles. 

• Check Technology: Ensure personal hearing devices and Radio Aids (Roger Mics) are switched on and working correctly at the start of every session.  

4. Key Professional Resources 

• National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS): Provides free deaf friendly communication guides and classroom resources: 

• Deaf-friendly early education and childcare 

• Deaf friendly teaching (for primary school staff) 

• Deaf friendly teaching (for secondary school staff) 

• Deaf friendly teaching (for staff in special schools) 

• Deaf friendly teaching (for further education staff)