Working with Students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

Download this Information Sheet : PDF : 86KB.

Overview

The impact of a hearing loss on study depends on a number of factors including the level of hearing a student has, when a person experienced the loss and the delivery and assessment of the course being undertaken. Deaf, deaf, hard of hearing, hearing impaired are all commonly used to describe a hearing loss. The terminology of how people with a hearing loss identify themselves varies according to individual preference and the level of loss.

To be eligible for DLU services

An audiogram which verifies the level of hearing loss must be provided to the DLU. Exceptions may be permitted when a Deaf student is known to the DLU through the Deaf community. DLU staff also collect a detailed history of the student with regard to previous education and/or employment participation.

Common barriers at university

A student who is deaf or hard of hearing may experience one or more of the following barriers to learning and inclusion. Please note this list provides only a sample of common barriers.

• Access to information - both formal information presented in classes and incidental communication within and external to the class
• Social isolation, particularly for Auslan (Australian Sign Language) using students due to the language barrier
• Participation in settings such as tutorials can be compromised due to difficulties in following numerous conversation participants
• Language proficiency may be affected due to limited exposure to spoken English. Factors such as when a person lost their hearing (pre or post lingual) and level of hearing loss influence language proficiency.

Common examples of assistive technology

Assistive listening devices are used by some students with a hearing loss. It is important to note that no devices replace hearing. Common technological supports include

• hearing aids -amplify all surrounding sounds,
• mobile phones - SMS communication is used by many people with a hearing loss,
• FM systems - a device where a teacher wears a lapel microphone tuned to a frequency picked up by a student's hearing aid
• Telephone Typewriters (TTY's) - an assistive device which allows a student to communicate over the telephone (often with the use of a relay service)

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Common Academic adjustments

• Use of Auslan interpreters and/or notetakers (organised by the DLU)
• Use of real time transcription (2006 DLU pilot project)
• Copies of overheads, lecture notes given before classes so that student can absorb information and is better prepared to participate in class
• Writing down key information on the board
• Provision of glossaries to assist student (and interpreters) learn new and unfamiliar terminology
• Consideration of the environment - background noise, lighting, glare
• Minimising movement around a room when speaking, face students when speaking
• Alternative Examination Arrangements e.g. additional reading time, use of an interpreter for questions
• Consideration of how a student will manage audio or video material. Note many DVD's now have captions for people with a hearing impairment

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Useful Links and Resources

Working Effectively with Auslan interpreters - an information sheet produced by the DLU.

Creating Accessible Teaching & Support.for students with a hearing impairment - booklets available from the Disability Liaison Unit.

Creating Accessible Teaching & Support - click on the practical strategies section.

Australian Disability Clearing House on Education and Training (ADCET) is a web based information source that provides up to date, accurate and comprehensive information about inclusive teaching, learning and assessment strategies, accommodations and support services for people with disabilities.

Teaching students who have a hearing impairment (DOC : 105KB) teaching and assessment fact sheet produced by ADCET

Victorian Deaf Society is the main provider of specialised welfare and communication services to deaf people in Victoria. This site has information on services, resources and fact sheets

Centre of Excellence for Students who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing is based at Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE. They have a range of brochures available on line addressing deafness, studying with a hearing loss and strategies for teaching staff.

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