Hearing impairments range from mild to profound hearing loss and can significantly affect a student’s ability to access spoken language, follow instructions, and participate in classroom discussions. These challenges may lead to delays in language development, reduced academic performance, and social isolation if not appropriately addressed. Students with hearing impairments often require tailored strategies to ensure equitable learning opportunities. Early intervention and classroom accommodations, such as visual aids and assistive technology, play a crucial role in fostering inclusion, improving communication, and supporting academic success for these students.

We provide staff with a range of recommended strategies, including:

Use visual aids: Provide written instructions, charts, and diagrams to support spoken content. Ensure there are captions when playing videos.
Preferential seating: Seat the student where they can see the teacher and peers clearly.
Face the class: Maintain visual contact while speaking to allow for lip-reading.
Minimise background noise: Reduce distractions and ensure a quiet learning environment as much as possible.
Provide written notes: Share outlines or summaries of lessons.
Encourage peer support: Use buddies for collaboration and social inclusion.
Repeat or rephrase questions and answers: Ensure that students can follow class discussions by repeating peers' contributions.
Use multisensory teaching approaches: Combine auditory, visual, and tactile methods to reinforce learning.
Provide extra time: Allow additional time for processing instructions and completing tasks.
Highlight key information: Use highlighters, bold text, or visual markers to emphasise critical points.
Offer check-ins: Check in with students on a one-to-one basis to check understanding and clarify instructions.