Tips for Attending Social Events with Hearing Loss
Social events are full of conversations, laughter and music. For those
Distance Learning & Hearing Loss
The 2020 school year is nothing like we have seen before. Classrooms throughout the country have transitioned from traditional to distance learning to keep children, teachers and parents safe. While this change takes a little getting used to, children with hearing loss are particularly vulnerable.
Below we have outlined some tips to help you assist your hearing-impaired child with distance learning.
Reduce Background Noise
Those with hearing loss have a hard time understanding speech in a noisy environment. This can lead to trouble with attention, listening fatigue and behavioral issues.
Designate a spot in your house for your child to complete their schooling, preferably away from other siblings attending virtual school and parents who may be talking on the phone or video calls for work. You can then work on reducing the background noise around them by closing windows and doors and turning off or moving any particularly noisy appliances.
Try setting up house-wide quiet hours. Don’t forget to compare schedules before picking a time, as this will only work if everyone can be on board.
Test the Technology
Setting your child up for success is the best thing you can do to help them have a good year. For those with hearing loss, this includes making sure their hearing devices, accessories and computer programs are all working well.
For your child’s hearing aid, make sure it is in good working order. Cleaning the hearing aid every day can help keep the device working. You should also consider bringing the hearing aid into our office for a professional cleaning just to make sure. While in the office, we can proactively make any repairs or replace pieces that may soon stop working.
There are a number of computer programs your child will use for distance learning. Make sure you know how the systems work before class starts. This includes figuring out how to record any lessons or put on closed captioning when needed.
Gather the Assistive Technology
While hearing aids are your child’s primary treatment plan, assistive listening devices can elevate their listening experience. Devices such as microphones, speakers and connectors can all elevate their classroom experience.
Assistive devices can help reduce background noise and make the teacher’s voice louder and clearer. While we may not know what this school year holds, making sure your child is prepared and has the hearing devices they need is the first step. To learn more or to schedule an appointment with an audiologist, contact The Audiology Offices today.
