Did You Know?

HEARING ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY:

Hearing assistive technology (HAT) helps students with hearing loss to better access sound and speech. The HAT options either amplify sound or transmit sound to the brain. Even while wearing amplification, students will continue to mishear and not hear all of the information that is spoken to them. Please note that the HAT options do not fix hearing loss and do not give the students normal hearing.

Typical hearing assistive technology options students use in the classroom:

• Hearing aids – students may wear one or two hearing aids depending upon hearing loss. Hearing aids make sounds louder.
• Cochlear implant – some students who are deaf may have a cochlear implant. The implant is an electronic medical device implanted into the cochlea to send sound signals to the brain. The device does not make sounds louder like hearing aids do.
• CROS Hearing aids – students with a profound hearing loss in one ear may use a CROS hearing aid system. This allows speech that is spoken on the hearing loss side to be sent to the hearing aid on the normal hearing side to be heard.
• BAHA (Bone Anchored Hearing Aid) – some students with a profound hearing loss in one ear may also choose to have an implant on the bone to the ear or wear a headband which transmits vibrations that are heard by the inner ear either on the side that it is worn or on the opposite side.
• Microphone System – Some students will use a microphone system along with their hearing aids or implant. A receiver is connected to the student’s hearing aid(s) or sound processor. It is sometimes referred to as a “boot”. The teacher or speaker wears the transmitter (microphone). The teacher’s voice goes directly into the student’s hearing aid so the student can better hear the teacher’s voice at a distance and in noise.

Here is a video of what it is like to hear through hearing aids and also a microphone system. The first 3 minutes are demonstrating using hearing aids only. The last 3 minutes are demonstrating using a microphone system. https://youtu.be/JNzxOJKCUug

THE MIDWEST SPORT/SKI COUNCIL: DEAF & HARD OF HEARING PROGRAM (MSC-DHH)

This program offers people with hearing impairment the opportunity to learn how to downhill ski and snowboard.

Mission: To teach beginning to intermediate level skiers/boarders, promote self-confidence, physical activity, and skill set development.

Location: The program takes place at Hyland Hills Ski Area in Bloomington, MN. Check-in is located on the second floor of the chalet near the exterior staircase.

Date/Time: 2019 Schedule: January 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th & February 3rd. These lessons take place on Sunday mornings from 9-11am.

Plan to arrive 1 hour before the lesson to register & rent equipment.

For more information: send and email to MSCDHHProgram@midwestfun.org