Deaf and Hard of Hearing - Differentiated Curriculum
Deafness
and hearing impairments are defined by the Ministry of Education as follows:
*an
impairment characterized by deficits in language and speech development because
of a diminished or non-existent auditory response to sound.
Many students who are deaf or hard of hearing will make use of some form of
amplification as recommended by an audiologist, and may require the use of
specialized equipment.
Personal FM Systems:
-Personal FM systems are designated to compensate for
noise, distance, and reverberation in classroom settings
-Personal FM systems have two main
components: a transmitter worn by the speaker (e.g., the teacher) and a
receiver worn by the student. A wireless link between the two components is essential so that the speaker's
voice can always be heard by the student through his or her personal hearing
aid.
-Personal FM systems and portable
sound field systems can be used virtually anywhere – in the classroom,
auditorium, or outdoors.
-A free-field sound system is
similar to a personal FM system, except that the students are not required to
wear a receiver. The teacher wears a transmitter, but the signal is sent to
speakers strategically placed in the classroom.
Teachers and
educational assistants working with students who require amplification devices
may wish to consider the following suggestions:
-Check the amplification device daily
to ensure that it works properly
-Consult resource personnel to
determine the proper procedures for daily listening checks.
-Arrange for students to carry the
transmitter/microphone from class to class for the use of the next teacher.
-Make use of FM systems during
assemblies by guest speakers and on field trips.
The following video will help to
better explain the multiple advantages of a personal FM system:
Resources:
The Ontario Curriculum Unit Planner: Special Education
Companion Queen’s Printer for Ontario, 2002
I just watched the video on the advantages of using a personal FM system for the hard of hearing. I noticed that when the speaker moved away from the person with the hearing aid, even if I could still hear and understand him, it took a lot of energy and concentration to do so. I don't think I could sustain that kind of listening for very long. Also, the human voice heard through the hearing aid sounded different than normal, more metallic and irritating to my hearing. I don't know if a person would get used to this kind of sound coming through an hearing aid, but I can imaging that it could also make it harder to listen to such a voice for a long time. It is a good video to gain a better understanding of what it sounds like when you have to depend on an hearing aid and how a personal FM system can really improve the life of a student, especially in the classroom.
ReplyDeleteI agree Jantine. I had exactly the same reaction! Interestingly, I know a person in Guelph whose son attends a brand new elementary school here. The classrooms were equipped with surround sound. This young person is in Grade 8 and has been wearing hearing aids since age 6. In Grade 2, an FM system was also incorporated while at school. When he started Grade 8, this past year he discovered that he no longer needed the FM system - his hearing aids worked perfectly with surround sound! Now that is universal design in action!
ReplyDeleteI also found myself really having to concentrate when the speaker moved across the room. My first reaction was to wonder how a child can deal with this. Then I listened to it with the FM system and found a amazing difference. My husband works at the University in the AV department and the technology that they have been installing in the classrooms over the past few years is inspiring. Many are equipped with state of the art sound systems. It is nice to hear that the grade schools are installing surround sound, and not just for the hard of hearing but all kids with concentration and learning issues.
ReplyDeleteThat really was an amazing example of how hard it must be for those with hearing impairments. What a difference made when using the FM system. I hope all children with that need these supports get them. I look forward to spending time in the classrooms to see all these new sound systems that are being incorporated
ReplyDeleteVery interesting indeed. I also watched the youtube video next to this one called Cochlear Implants: Simulation on Speech and Music. I almost found it disturbing. A little like sounds in a horror movie. We got a taste of this in the film we watched in class when the one man made a small movie demonstration of what it was like to wake up in the morning and attach his two cochlear implants. Is this really an improvement for an individual with hard of hearing? I understand they don't have anything else to really compare it with like those with "normal" hearing, but it just seemed like aggravating white noise.
ReplyDeletePerhaps some of you will have an opportunity in the future to discuss the issues faced by the deaf community with people who are deaf or hard of hearing. What I find the most interesting is the attitude that underlies the two sides - the first group looks at deafness in much the same way that one would look at ethnic and/or cultural background. The second looks at deafness as an illness/disease/hardship that needs to be eliminated or at the very least people who are deaf need to appear as 'normal' as possible. I think that the same dilemma is at the heart of many of the struggles that people find themselves engaged in today including body image, skin tone or colour, sexual orientation, gender, etc.
ReplyDeleteI would think that if someone lives in a hearing world, one would want to be able to communicate with the people in that world to the best of his/her ability. As an immigrant, I would miss out on a lot of opportunities, experiences, etc. if I didn't learn the common language of the people around me. If deafness is considered a culture, that doesn't mean it has to exclude the hearing 'culture', and if deafness is an illness/disease/hardship you can't eliminate it but you can live with it. I don't understand why it has to be an either/or decision. It just doesn't make any sense to me. Of course, I don't have any experience with this particular issue. But if I had a child who was deaf, I think I would want him/her to have the best of both worlds to whatever extend possible.
ReplyDelete