[Athen] [EXT] Recommendations on devices to help with hearing with in a classroom setting

[National Deaf Center]

Hi Charlotte,

Given that this is new territory for both you and the student, we recommend
implementing classroom accommodations now while the student works out
getting fitted with hearing aids. This would be a good opportunity to go
back to the interactive process
<https://nationaldeafcenter.org/resource-items/interactive-process-tools-checklist-and-sample-questions-deaf-students/>
and have a meeting with the student to find out what are the barriers in
the classroom. Since the student is having trouble hearing the instructor
and the class content, we recommend considering note taking services
<https://nationaldeafcenter.org/resource-items/note-taking-introduction/>
and speech-to-text services
<https://nationaldeafcenter.org/resources/access-accommodations/coordinating-services/speech-to-text/>
to start with. It’s also worth noting that while there are various
automatic speech recognition apps available, the technology is still not up
to standards of effectiveness as compared to a person who is providing live
real time captioning. Our article on the topic explains the reasoning here: Why
ASR is Not the Answer Yet
<https://nationaldeafcenter.org/news-items/auto-captions-and-deaf-students-why-automatic-speech-recognition-technology-not-answer-yet/>
.

It’s important to note that when the student obtains their hearing aids, it
can be a process for them to get used to the new technology, and it may be
necessary to implement the aforementioned accommodations long-term. Hearing
aids do not restore hearing and there will still be gaps in accessing the
classroom content and the accommodations will allow for a more equitable
experience.

We suggest getting information from the student’s audiologist or an
audiologist in your area on what is a compatible assistive listening
device/system
<https://nationaldeafcenter.org/resources/access-accommodations/assistive-listening-systems/#>
(ALD/ALS) for this student. Audiologists can also provide product
recommendations (we cannot give any due to grant stipulations) on what can
be used for someone who is not currently fitted for a hearing aid.
Ideally, it may be possible to purchase one system that can be used now and
later when the student receives their hearing aids. This is a proactive
approach to allow you to get a system set up while the student is able to
be fitted by their audiologist. Another person on this thread mentioned
using an amplifier connected to some earbuds as a solution, this could be a
temporary solution while a more permanent one gets put in place.

The state of California has an assistive technology lending library
<https://testing.myatprogram.org/DeviceLoan/Search> for students who can
benefit from getting specific technology temporarily or long term. If they
are a vocational rehabilitation recipient, we recommend they reach out to
their case manager to inquire about funding for hearing aids and assistive
technology.

We offer a free online learning module
<https://nationaldeafcenter.org/courses/introduction-to-assistive-listening-devices-and-systems/>
on the topic of ALD/ALS that we recommend reviewing to familiarize yourself
with the various systems and compatibility. Your student may benefit from
this module as well.

We also recommend connecting with colleagues on our Community Forums to
share strategies for similar situations. The NDC Community Forums provide a
dedicated online discussion space for postsecondary disability services
professionals. To join the Community Forums, sign up here
<http://nationaldeafcenter.org/community>. You can also participate in
our email
listserv <http://www.nationaldeafcenter.org/contact#newsletter-listserv>,
which includes postsecondary disability services professionals, service
providers, and deaf community organizations.

Let us know if you have any questions or concerns.

Best,
 *NDC | help team*
 help at nationaldeafcenter.org
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deafdisabled, hard of hearing, late-deafened, and hearing impaired.


On Mon, Oct 30, 2023 at 11:34 AM Andrea L. Dietrich <adietrich at cornell.edu>
wrote:


> If the student has an Android phone they could try the Google Sound

> Amplifier app.

> https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.accessibility.soundamplifier&hl=en_US&gl=US

> I don’t have any personal experience with it so I can’t vouch for it but it

> may help.

>

>

>

> Looks like there’s at least one app on the Apple store for iPhone also.

> Again, no personal experience with it but maybe worth a try.

> https://apps.apple.com/us/app/sound-amplifier/id1615079093

>

>

>

> I am not deaf but at one point in the past I had a bad head cold and my

> ears got very plugged, and I had a few weeks where I was definitely hearing

> impaired. I ended up borrowing one half of an FM amplification system we

> had in the office, which just had a microphone attached to it, and I used a

> pair of earbuds and just aimed the microphone in the general direction of

> whoever was speaking. It worked very well for my temporary needs. The

> specific model I used is probably no longer available – this was around a

> decade ago and it was already an older piece of equipment – but something

> similar might help this student and be easier to set up than a two-way FM

> system.

>

> --------------------------

>

> Andrea Dietrich

>

> She / Her / Hers

>

> Accommodation Specialist

>

> Student Disability Services

>

>

>

> Cornell University

>

> Cornell Health, Level 5

>

> 110 Ho Plaza

>

> Ithaca, NY 14853

>

> Email: adietrich at cornell.edu

>

> Phone: (607) 254-4545

>

> Fax: (607) 255-1562

>

> Web: sds.cornell.edu

>

>

>

> *Please note that confidentiality of non-encrypted e-mail communication

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>

> *From:* athen-list <athen-list-bounces at mailman12.u.washington.edu> *On

> Behalf Of *Robert Beach

> *Sent:* Friday, October 27, 2023 8:40 AM

> *To:* Access Technology Higher Education Network <

> athen-list at u.washington.edu>

> *Subject:* Re: [Athen] [EXT] Recommendations on devices to help with

> hearing with in a classroom setting

>

>

>

> An FM listening system may be the best and quickest route to go.

>

>

>

>

>

> *Robert Lee Beach*

>

> *Assistive Technology Specialist* – Student Accessibility & Support

> Services

>

>

>

> *Kansas City Kansas Community College*

>

> 7250 State Ave. - Suite # 3384 - Kansas City, KS 66112

>

> O 913-288-7671 | F 913-288-7678

>

> rbeach at kckcc.edu

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> *From:* athen-list <athen-list-bounces at mailman12.u.washington.edu> *On

> Behalf Of *Charlotte Schiff-Norton

> *Sent:* Thursday, October 26, 2023 5:08 PM

> *To:* athen-list at u.washington.edu

> *Subject:* [EXT][Athen] Recommendations on devices to help with hearing

> with in a classroom setting

>

>

>

> *CAUTION:** This email originated outside KCKCC. Do not click links or

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> suspicious emails to support at kckcc.edu <support at kckcc.edu>.*

>

> Hello All!

>

>

>

> I am in need of some help and I am hoping you all can help me.

>

>

>

> I'm working with a student who has severe hearing loss in both ears and

> they have not yet been set up with hearing aids.

>

> They're having a very hard time hearing the professor and the conversation

> around them.

>

>

>

> This is new territory for me and for the student as well.

>

>

>

> So I'm looking for any recommendations on devices or free apps that can

> help the student within the classroom setting?

>

>

>

> Thank you in advance for all of your help and recommendations

>

>

>

> Best Regards,

>

> Charlotte

>

>

>

> This email was dictated using Dragon NaturallySpeaking.

> Please forgive any quirks and misrecognitions.

>

>

>

> *Charlotte Norton*

>

> Accessibility & Assistive Technology Coordinator

>

> Student Disability Services

>

> Email: cgs5 at stmarys-ca.edu

>

> Phone: (925) 631-5071

>

> stmarys-ca.edu

>

>

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