Assistive Technology Ideas for Hearing

Strategies & Modifications

• Pen/pencil and paper
• Picture communication
• Sign language or finger spelling
• Dry erase board
• Meaning of facial expressions, gesture, body language
• Always face the student/client
• Gently touch shoulder to gain attention
• Gain attention before you start speaking
• Speak slowly, naturally and clearly
• Do not exaggerate your lip movements
• Break up longer sentences into smaller ones
• Repeat new vocabulary in different contexts
• Sequence topics relating to that previously learned
• Use written announcements for assignments, due dates, exam dates, changes in schedule, special event dates
• Provide outline of lesson/activity in advance
• Use captioned films, videos, and laser discs
• Avoid seating in heavy traffic areas
• Seat near speaker
• Do not talk while writing on the chalkboard
• Eliminate background noises
• Avoid standing where light source can cause glare when speaking
• Work from concrete to abstract
• Keep your hands away from your face when speaking
• Maximize the use of visual media
• Establish an in-case-of-emergency procedure
• Note taker
• Interpreters

Light-Tech

• Flashing light for signaling phone, doorbell, fire alarm
• Carbonless note taking paper
• Talk about it – feelings cards
• Vibrating alert
• Vibrating alarm
• Phone amplification

Higher-Tech

• TDD/TTY for phone access with or without relay
• Closed Captioning
• Real time captioning
• Hearing aid
• Cochlear Implant
• Personal Amplification System
• FM or loop system
• Infrared system
• Auditory trainer
• Environmental alerting devices

Computer/Software

• Portable word processor
• Computer aided note taking
• Screen flash for alert signals on computer
• Speech to text programs (voice recognition)