How to Teach a Hearing Impaired Student
- 1). Make eye contact with the student before you begin to speak. You want to be sure you have the student's attention, especially if she reads lips. If the student is not looking in your direction, you may have to touch her lightly on the shoulder. Even if the student needs to watch an interpreter, try to make eye contact with her as frequently as possible. That way, she will feel a part of the group.
- 2). Speak clearly and in your usual voice, facing toward the student. Do not walk around the room as you talk. Stand in a well-lit area, but not in front of a window, as shadows may make it difficult to see your face when you are talking.
- 3). Talk directly to the student, not to the notetaker or interpreter. The interpreter will tell you if you need to repeat any instructions for the student, or are talking too fast. Avoid using colloquial expressions, the meanings of which might confuse the student. Use specific terms when giving directions.
- 4). Write homework assignments and instructions for tests on the blackboard, but do not talk while you are writing. A hearing-impaired student cannot hear what you are saying when your back is to the class. Give the student time to write and take notes. While writing on the blackboard is a good way to clarify key points of a lesson, a hearing-impaired student cannot write and listen at the same time.
- 5). Repeat what other students say, particularly when they ask questions, so the hearing impaired student can participate in the discussion. Summarize what others contribute. Involve the student by giving him opportunities to share his opinions or make comments about the lesson. Encourage the student to speak up in the classroom, but give him time to respond to questions.
- 6). Provide the student or her notetaker with any handouts in advance. This gives the student an opportunity to know what the lesson will be about. If you ask students to refer to a handout during class, allow the hearing-impaired student time to read before continuing on with the lesson.
- 7). Use visual aids, like pictures and graphic displays, to help explain lessons. If you use computer technology in the classroom, include interactive videos in the lesson plan as often as possible.
- 8). Minimize as much background noise as possible, both within and outside of the classroom. Excessive noise can interfere with hearing aids. Heating systems, air-conditioning units, flickering overhead lights, computers and printers (as well as tile floors) all create noise in the classroom environment.
- 9). Request closed-captioned videotapes, movies and audio clips whenever you use these types of media in the classroom. Give the hearing-impaired student a printed copy of any PowerPoint presentations.
Source...