Strategies are taken from the Cochlear Workshop: What Children Cochlear Implants Need at School
By Donna L. Sorkin, M.A. and Jessica Melton, Au.D.
Share Hearing Loss Basics
*Show the child's audiogram and explain it
*Help them understand the benefits and limitations of personal hearing technology
* Show the child's technology and let them handle it
*Explain why the FM is important
*Determine who is in charge of troubleshooting and develop a plan for how that will work
Ensure Proper Classroom Seating
*Close to front but visually accessible to entire room
*Seat away from noise generators (HVAC fans, hall doors)
If unilateral CI, seat so CI ear away is opposite noise sources (HVAC fans, projectors) and towards center of room
*NO Aquariums!
Don't assume the front tow is the best seat for the child. After taking the noise generators into consideration, talk to the child about the best seat for them to access speech. It is not always the front!
Speak so he can understand
*Always face forward when talking
*Stay within the child's vision
*Closer is better
*Don't "bounce" around
*Speak clearly, naturally and directly to the child
*Make sure she's looking at you when you begin speaking (have lead ins to cue the child)
*Ensure volume is appropriate
*Speak just a little slower-too slow is not natural and will make understanding harder
*View HOPE Online on Clear Speech
What if (s)he doesn't understand?
*Don't ask her directly "Did you understand that?"
*Learn to recognize "the look" that means he didn't get it
*Repeat once, then paraphrase
*Explain things a different way
*Encourage him to ask
*Use a signal or "secret sign" so she can tell you she missed something (this way the child doesn't have to raise his hand to have information always repeated, it is just between you and him)
*Write difficult (key) words on the blackboard
Other Communication Strategies
*Provide key new words/concepts to parents or team members in advance
*Use concrete materials or natural gestures to illustrate points
*Write assignments and direction on the board
*Point to the speaker
*Repeat Classmates' questions through the FM
*If you think she might have missed a comment, rephrase or restate what another child has contributed
