What is a Teacher of the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing?

A Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) is a specialized educator who supports children with hearing differences in developing communication, language, and early learning skills. In a preschool setting, they create a language-rich environment using a variety of approaches—such as spoken language, sign language, or a combination of both—based on each child’s needs. They work closely with families, speech-language pathologists, and other professionals to build strong foundations in listening, speaking, signing, and social interaction. Through play-based and individualized instruction, a preschool DHH teacher helps children access the world around them and develop the skills they need for future learning and communication.