Pre-lingual deafness and post-lingual deafness are two different types of hearing loss. People who are pre-lingually deaf have lost their hearing before developing language skills. Post-lingually deaf people lose their hearing after they begin to talk. Depending on the group, the effect of hearing loss and the level of deafness will vary.
Auslan is a sign language used by certain prelingually deaf individuals. Numerous newborns had cochlear implants. Some people prefer to communicate verbally. Many people converse verbally and in sign language together. Some people experience typical language and literacy development. Some persons might have literacy issues. All of these factors must be taken into account while choosing the right change kinds.
Teaching Methods
All students can benefit from a number of inclusive teaching strategies, but a handful are particularly helpful when working with a class of kids who have hearing impairments:
- Encourage children who struggle with hearing to take a seat up front, where their line of vision won’t be hindered. This is especially important if the student is lip-reading, using an interpreter, using a hearing aid with a limited range, relying on visual cues, or using an interpretation. Be mindful that some students could disagree with this advice or have other options. Observe their selection.
- Say nothing while looking at the chalkboard. Lip-reading can be hampered by facial hair, beards, hands, books, and objects like microphones in front of your face. Low light conditions make it impossible for lip-readers to work. The lighting in your classroom might need to be adjusted. The working with a sign interpreter guidelines should be followed if one is used.
- Give students the option to record lectures, or even better, give them copies of your lecture notes. Flexible delivery of educational information via electronic media will be advantageous for students who struggle to learn using conventional techniques. New technology, particularly the internet, helps in learning for hearing impaired children.
- Depending on the age of onset, hearing loss has a considerable impact on language abilities. Early detection of hearing loss in children may make reading difficult for them. In some circumstances, it could be useful to provide reading lists to students with hearing loss before the commencement of a course. Adjust these reading lists as necessary, and offer suggestions for important works of literature.
Always keep these in mind when various types of examinations and observations are required. While there is no expectation that standards for students with disabilities be decreased, they must be given a worthwhile opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned and practiced. Some deaf students, especially those who have trouble speaking, would prefer that another student offer their tutorial papers.