Information about Student 24 equipment

Hearing aids

Student 24 has a hearing loss so wears two hearing aids. Hearing aids make
speech louder but not clearer. They amplify all sounds including background
noise. Background noise makes listening very challenging for a child with any
degree of hearing impairment.

Student 24 has been taught to listen with his residual hearing. With the help
of his hearing aids, Student 24 can hear and understand speech within a
couple of metres in good listening conditions i.e. minimal background noise.

Many children with hearing impairment can be extremely sensitive to very

loud noise (eg squealing, shouting, brass band etc). It can cause sound
distortions and actually hurt.

A clear voice is easier to hear and understand with hearing aids than a loud
one. A loud voice can be uncomfortable and can distort the signal going into
the hearing aid.

The listening environment in the classroom can be very challenging for a

student with a hearing loss. Background noise (either inside or outside the
classroom), the distance between the student and the teacher, and
reverberation can be significant problems.

Wireless communication device

Student 24 uses a wireless communication device that consists of a

transmitter, the Roger Pen, (the piece the teacher wears) and a Roger
receiver that Student 24 wears that is attached to one of his hearing aids.
A wireless communication device helps to reduce, though not eliminate,
the problems of distance, background noise and reverberation.

The Roger Pen is an invaluable piece of equipment for Student 24. It is

essential that his teachers use it in all appropriate learning situations at
school classroom, library, computers and RFF programs. If unsure, please
consult with IST (H).

The Roger Pen needs to be managed carefully during group work. If the
teacher is with Student 24s group, then the Roger Pen is needed.
However, if the teacher is working with other children in a different group,
the transmitter needs to muted. Otherwise, Student 24 will be listening to
a conversation not relevant to him, which is extremely distracting.

The Roger Pen can worn by other students when they are giving news,
making oral presentations or reading aloud. The Roger Pen should be no
more than 20cm from a speakers mouth. Take care to undo the Roger
Pens cord where the magnets meet.

Adjustments when teaching Zac Narker

Seating arrangements
o

Position Student 24 so that he can best see your lips while you are
talking to the class. This usually means right in front of you if the
class is sitting on the floor and you are on a chair at the front.

Student 24 may prefer to sit at a desk towards the left or right hand
side of the classroom so he has a clear view of the whole class. He
can then more easily see the student asking or answering a question
during deskwork.

Seat Student 24 away from obvious sources of background noise such

as a door that is opened frequently, noisy heating or air conditioning
units.

Classroom listening environment

o

Use the Roger Pen in all appropriate situations at school. Refer to

information about Student 24s Roger Pen and guidelines for correct
use. Consult with Student 24s ISTH for further information and
support.

Minimise environmental noise both inside and outside the classroom

as much as possible eg shut classroom door and windows to reduce
noise from classes walking to and from other rooms. Discourage use
of electric pencil sharpening during class time.

Class discussions
o

o
o

Call on different speakers by name so Student 24 knows who is

speaking. Encourage him to turn and look at the student who is
answering or asking a question.
Repeat what other students in the class have asked or said. Student 24
will probably not have heard their answers or responses if they are
sitting towards the back of the group.
Have the students speak into the Roger Pen when they are reading
aloud or giving more extended oral responses.
If Student 24 has not understood what was said, say it a different way
the second time. Rephrase rather than repeat.

Presentation of a lesson
o

Avoid talking with your back to the class when writing on a

whiteboard or IWB.

Stand at the front of the classroom facing the class when giving
instructions or explanations so Student 24 has a clear view of your
face.
Gain Student 24s attention before giving verbal instructions, not
while he is engaged in another task such as writing, colouring or
copying from the board.
Vary the pace and structure of lessons to accommodate listening
fatigue wherever possible. Listening requires an enormous effort for
any child with a hearing loss.
Use visual strategies and resources to support spoken material and to
reduce listening overload