Numeracy Related Activities and difficulties with Hearing

Remember, disability is a highly individualised experience. People with the same disability may have very different capabilities and/or needs, so it is always best to discuss any adaptations to practice, the environment or equipment directly with the disabled person themselves rather than making assumptions about what adjustments may be suitable.

Having a hearing impairment does not impact on a students ability to engage specifically in numeracy related learning activities; all that is required are some general enabling strategies to allow the best possible communication. The teacher/trainer should agree the method by which they will communicate in class. Some people who are Deaf or hard of hearing will need to lip-read, and if this is the case, then the speaker’s face needs to be visible at all times. The teacher and class peers need to make sure they have adequate lighting and avoid eating or chewing gum when speaking. The teacher should establish the protocol of always speaking to the Deaf person whilst facing them.

Some people who have a hearing impairment may wear a hearing aid. It is important to recognise that this device magnifies all sounds; it does not, unlike the result of wearing glasses, correct the hearing loss/sound distortion.

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