Understanding and supporting students with hearing impairments in mainstream classrooms can be challenging, but with the right strategies, educators can create an inclusive learning environment. In this insightful webinar, Debbie Hann, a Teacher of the Deaf and secondary maths specialist, shares essential strategies for working with hearing-impaired students, practical classroom adjustments, and how to foster effective communication.

Why Should SENCOs Watch This Webinar?

This training is invaluable for SENCOs, teachers, and teaching assistants working with hearing-impaired students. It covers:

• Understanding different types of hearing loss and their impact on learning.
• Practical strategies to improve accessibility and reduce barriers in the classroom.
• Common challenges faced by students with hearing impairments and how to address them.
• Enhancing student engagement through adaptive teaching techniques.
• Building self-advocacy skills in hearing-impaired students to prepare them for further education and life beyond school.
• Key Takeaways from the Training

1. Understanding Deafness and Hearing Loss

• Types of hearing loss:
• Sensory neural hearing loss (damage to the inner ear or auditory nerve).
• Conductive hearing loss (caused by blockages or infections in the middle ear).
• Mixed hearing loss, a combination of both.
• Hearing levels: Measured in decibels, from mild (20-40 dB loss) to profound (95+ dB loss).
• Speech sound perception challenges: Many students struggle to distinguish high-frequency sounds (e.g., “sh,” “th,” “f,” “s”), affecting their speech and understanding.

2. Challenges in a Mainstream Classroom

• Background noise: Hearing aids amplify all sounds equally, making it difficult for students to focus on speech.
• Lip reading limitations: Not all students rely on lip reading, and environmental factors like poor lighting can make it harder.
• Cognitive load and auditory fatigue: Processing spoken language requires extra effort, leading to quicker exhaustion.
• Lack of incidental learning: Hearing-impaired students miss background conversations that contribute to vocabulary and general knowledge.

3. Practical Strategies for Classroom Support

Improving the Learning Environment

• Reduce background noise:
• Close windows and doors.
• Use carpets, soft furnishings, and acoustic tiles.
• Avoid loud classroom objects (e.g., metal pencil pots, dice) or soften their impact.
• Lighting and positioning:
• Avoid standing in front of windows.
• Ensure good lighting for lip reading.
• Position the student closer to the teacher or their “better ear” side.

Enhancing Communication

• Use assistive technology: Personal microphones and hearing devices should be worn correctly.
• Encourage one speaker at a time to help with sound clarity.
• Use multi-sensory teaching methods:
• Visual aids, text, diagrams, and gestures help reinforce learning.
• Slow down videos and use captions to aid comprehension.
• Repeat and reinforce new vocabulary: Hearing-impaired students need multiple exposures to retain new words.
• Building Student Independence
• Encourage self-advocacy: Teach students to ask for repetition or clarification (e.g., “Can you show me?” or “Can you repeat that?”).
• Allow processing time: Provide at least 25% extra time for comprehension.
• Provide breaks: Listening and concentration fatigue students faster.

Invitation to Visit Knightsfield School

For those interested in observing a specialist sensory academy, Knightsfield School in Welling, Hertfordshire offers professional mornings where educators can:

• Learn more about deaf awareness and classroom strategies.
• Observe lessons in action.
• Speak to experienced staff and SENCOs for further insights.
• For inquiries, contact Jane Broomfield at Knightsfield School.

Final Thoughts

Supporting hearing-impaired students in a mainstream setting requires thoughtful adaptations, but small changes can make a huge difference in their learning experience. Whether through reducing noise, using assistive technology, or promoting self-advocacy, these strategies help bridge the gap and ensure that all students thrive.