Teaching is a rewarding, if occasionally taxing, career. Between making lesson plans and organizing field trips to the Augusta Museum of History, you spend your days connecting with kids and helping them learn. One additional factor that may arise is the responsibility that comes with teaching kids with hearing loss.
An estimated 34 million kids in the world have hearing loss requiring treatment. While teaching a child with hearing loss may sound daunting, you can employ a few tips and tricks to ensure a smooth learning experience.
1. Minimize Background Noise
Asking kids to sit still and quiet down can seem impossible, but it’s crucial to creating a hearing-friendly environment. You can use kid-friendly tools like songs or games to convey the importance of sitting quietly so others can hear.
2. Don’t Over-Enunciate
It’s common to want to slow down your speech or over-enunciate certain syllables when talking to someone with hearing loss. While it may seem helpful, over-enunciating is more likely to interfere with clear communication, especially for kids relying on lip reading to fill in context clues. Instead, speak at your natural pace and repeat yourself when asked.
3. Face the Class
Voice carries in the direction you’re facing. You should always face the class when speaking. If you need to write something on the smartboard or whiteboard, pause and resume talking when you’ve turned back to the class.
4. Be Patient
It’s easy to get frustrated when you have to repeat yourself frequently. Do your best to be patient. Getting frustrated with your student can make them feel like something is wrong with them, potentially affecting their confidence. Instead, offer to take some time to go over any confusing information one-on-one.
5. Encourage Group Participation
Kids with hearing loss may feel hesitant to join groups. Try to keep groups limited to three or fewer kids to ease communication. If your student has trouble participating, sit in on the group for a few minutes and engage them directly. This shows that their input matters and encourages them to speak up.
6. Make Space for Sign Language Interpreters
If your student needs a sign language interpreter, ensure the interpreter has a set place to stand or sit during class. Introduce them to the class to demystify their presence and answer any questions kids have. Normalizing the presence of a sign language interpreter will help prevent your student from feeling othered.
By implementing these six strategies, you can help your student feel welcomed in the classroom. For more information on hearing loss, contact Augusta – Aiken ENT & Allergy today.