Hearing Impairment

A learning difficulty that makes it difficult to hear or understand sounds.

Students typically have difficulties with:

Difficulty hearing other people clearly and misunderstanding what they say, especially in noisy places
Asking people to repeat themselves
Listening to music or watching TV with the volume higher than other people need
Difficulty hearing on the phone
Finding it hard to keep up with a conversation

Teaching Strategies

Reduce background noise to improve acoustic environment
Preferential seating and position of teacher
Uncluttered and well organised learning environment
Access to lip reading/ subtitles on audio visual material
Slow down speech rate a little, but keep natural fluency
Choice making opportunities
Clearly organised learning environment
Specialist vocabulary available at the beginning of each topic
Allow thinking time
Summarise key points at start and end of lesson
Model and teach careful listening along with other signals when careful listening is required
Repeat contributions from other pupils - their voices may be softer and speech more unclear
Divide listening time into short chunks
Use visual symbols to support understanding
Use cue cards to help sequence a task e.g. 1. Clear your desk. 2 collect equipment you will need 3. Put date on page etc. (use visual to aid understanding)
Provide opportunities to record work in a variety of ways

Examples of Resources and Classroom-Based Provision

Further Reading

how_your_child_with_hearing_impairments_is_supported_in_school.pdf

191209-support-for-children-and-young-people-with-hearing-impairment-in-educational-settings.pdf

Useful websites

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RNID

References:

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