Parents, caregivers, and teachers can work together to understand students’ successes and troubles. Together, they you can make a plan to help a student with hearing loss succeed.

Here are some ideas for teachers and school staff to support a student with hearing loss.

In class

• Have the student sit near where the teacher stands or sits to teach.
• Have the student sit away from busy areas such as the entrance, the pencil sharpener, or trash bin.
• Give the student a clear view of the teacher. This could mean putting desks in short rows or horseshoe shapes.
• Use an amplification system in the classroom so the teacher’s voice is louder and clearer.

Use visual aids

• Put up charts, lists, or diagrams of classroom routines.
• Write new words on the board.
• Write instructions and assignments on the board and have students copy them down.
• Use experiments and demonstrations to help with learning.

Give one-to-one attention

• Give extra, personal teaching and help with language.
• Help the student understand instructions and questions during exams.
• Move the student to a quieter room during tests.
• Give lesson outlines to parents or caregivers and classroom helpers.
• Have a classmate help the student if they miss instructions or don’t understand assignments.

Know the child’s hearing aids and FM system

• Remember that hearing aids and personal FM systems can help someone hear better, but they do not restore typical hearing. The student may still need other supports to hear and understand speech.
• Know the features of the student’s hearing aids or FM system—how to do a listening check, change or charge batteries, turn the device on and off, check volume.
• Have the student’s parent or caregiver leave extra batteries at school.
• Watch for behaviour changes that could mean the student’s hearing aids or FM system are not working properly.

Where to get help

To learn how speech-language pathologists and audiologists can help with speech, language, and hearing concerns, contact your child’s healthcare provider or visit Pediatric Rehabilitation.​