Tips For Teaching Students Who Aar Deaf Or Hard Of Hearing - Guidelines for Effective Communication in the Classroom & Beyond

GETTING ATTENTION

Gently tap the student’s shoulder, wave, or use a visual cue before speaking.

CHECK ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY

Ensure the student has access to their hearing aid or cochlear implant.

Confirm that any FM system or assistive listening device is properly connected.

Keep microphones or transmitters close to your voice source for sound clarity.

INTRODUCE THE TOPIC

Let the student know what subject or topic you're discussing so they can follow.

HOW TO SPEAK EFFECTIVELY

Face the student directly. Even a slight turn of your head can make lip-reading difficult.

Keep your mouth visible - avoid covering it with hands, objects, or facial hair.

Speak slowly and clearly - don’t yell or over-exaggerate.

Use short, simple sentences when possible.

MAINTAIN EYE CONTACT

Eye contact helps with connection and understanding - speak directly to the student.

LIGHTING MATTERS

Avoid standing in front of bright lights or windows - shadows make lip reading hard.

IF THEY DON’T UNDERSTAND

Repeat once, then rephrase if needed.

Don’t hesitate to use paper, pencil, or digital tools to clarify.

USE NON-VERBAL CUES

Gestures, facial expressions, and body language keep communication engaging.

CHECK FOR UNDERSTANDING

Ask open-ended questions instead of yes/no to confirm understanding.

SEATING TIPS

Seat the students where they can clearly see the speaker’s face.

VOCABULARY & CONTENT SUPPORT

Provide new vocabulary in advance whenever possible.

Share lecture outlines or scripts ahead of time.

AVOID TALKING WHILE WRITING

Don’t talk with your back turned - explain after writing or using visuals.

WRITE IMPORTANT INFO

Write down key announcements or special assignments.

SLOW THE PACE

Speak a bit more slowly and allow extra time for students to ask or answer questions.

REPEAT QUESTIONS

If someone asks a question, repeat it aloud so everyone can follow.

 

Remember: The goal is inclusion and understanding, not perfection.

Be patient, flexible, and open to using multiple methods to communicate.

"Helping Your Child Find Their Voice: A Parent’s Guide to Building Confidence, Communication, and Self-Advocacy"

 Managing Social Anxiety

1. “Calm Down Kit” for Transitions or Overwhelm
Create a small kit she can carry or access in class, with:

• Fidget toy or squishy ball
• Laminated “calm-down” visuals
• A small photo book of happy memories or favorite people
• Visual step-by-step breathing guide

2. Practice “Brave Talk” Scripts
Prepare short, easy-to-remember phrases for situations that cause anxiety:

• “Hi, my name is ____.”
• “Can I play with you?”
• “No, thank you.”
• “Can you help me, please?”
• “Can I go to the bathroom, please?”

How to Practice:
Role-play these during playtime, in front of a mirror, or with a trusted family member. Praise effort even if she just attempts the first word.

Vocalizing Needs

1. Use “I Need…” or “I Feel…” Sentence Starters
Place these on the wall, table, or on her AAC device.

Visual Prompt	Example Phrases
“I need…”	“I need help,” “I need a break,” “I need space”
“I feel…”	“I feel worried,” “I feel excited,” “I feel mad”

2. Communication Cards for When Speech Feels Too Hard
Make or print simple cards she can hand to an adult:

• “I need help.”
• “I need a break.”
• “I want to be alone.”
• “I don’t know what to do.”

3. Empower Her to Make Choices
Offer frequent, low-stakes choices to practice expressing preference:

• “Do you want to wear the red or blue shirt?”
• “Would you like to sit here or there?”
• “Do you want a hug or space?”

Even if she gestures or points at first, you can model the language:

“Oh, you picked the red shirt! You can say, ‘I want red.’”

Self-Advocacy Skills

1. Teach Her to Say “No” Respectfully
Children with anxiety often go along with things to avoid conflict. Practice ways to say “no” or set boundaries:

• “No, thank you.”
• “I don’t want to play that right now.”
• “That makes me uncomfortable.”

Use dolls, pretend play, or storybooks to practice this in a safe way.

2. Give Her a “Help Button”
This can be a literal laminated card or symbol she can hand to someone or tap on her AAC device when she needs support. 

3. Teach Her About Body Signals and Personal Space
Use a mirror or pictures to help her recognize when she feels overwhelmed (e.g., clenched fists, tight chest, needing to fidget) — then link those to self-advocacy:

“When your hands feel tight like that, it might mean you need a break. You can say, ‘I need a break.’”

Collaborating with School and Public Settings

1. Practice Scripts for Asking Adults for Help
Prepare and practice:

• “Can I talk to the teacher?”
• “I don’t understand.”
• “I need a break, please.”

2. Use Visual Schedules for New or Stressful Events
Before a birthday party, school event, or doctor visit, walk her through what will happen using visuals. Prepare “What can I do if I feel nervous?” strategies.

Book Recommendations (for Kids & Parents)

• For Kids:
• The Invisible String by Patrice Karst (for separation anxiety)
• What to Do When You Feel Too Shy by Claire A. B. Freeland
• Ruby Finds a Worry by Tom Percival
• My Mouth Is a Volcano by Julia Cook (for turn-taking, self-control)
• For Parents:
• Helping Your Anxious Child by Ronald Rapee
• The Whole-Brain Child by Daniel J. Siegel

Closed-Set and Open-Set Tasks To Assess Hearing and Language Skills in Children and Adults with Hearing Impairments

Closed-set and open-set tasks are used by audiologists and speech-language pathologists (SLPs) to assess hearing and language skills in children and adults with hearing impairments, especially those using cochlear implants. In speech therapy, a closed-set task provides a limited, specific number of response options for a patient to choose from, making it easier to identify what was said. An open-set task, in contrast, presents the patient with unlimited possibilities for both stimuli and responses, requiring more complex processing to understand. Closed-set tasks are often used for initial evaluations, especially in children, while open-set tasks are more challenging and assess real-world speech recognition ability. 

Closed-Set Tasks

Description:

The therapist presents a limited number of choices, such as pictures or word lists, and the patient selects the correct one. 

Example:

A child is shown four pictures of different animals and asked to point to the one the therapist names. 

Advantages:

Easier for patients, especially those with hearing loss or underdeveloped auditory skills. 

A good tool for initial evaluations and assessing children with limited receptive vocabulary, such as the World Intelligibility by Picture Identification (WIPI) test.

Considerations:

May not accurately reflect real-world speech recognition skills because the choices are restricted. 

Open-Set Tasks

Description:

The patient is asked to repeat or identify spoken words or sentences without any visual aids or a limited set of options. 

Example:

Asking a person to write down or say a sentence spoken out loud in noisy conditions. 

Advantages:

A more difficult and realistic assessment of a person's ability to understand speech in real-world environments. 

The use of multiple talkers and unfamiliar environments can help with the generalization of learned skills to new situations. 

Considerations:

More challenging and less precise for identifying a change in hearing compared to open-set tests. 

Summary Table 

Feature	Closed-Set Task	Open-Set Task
Number of Choices	Limited, predefined set	Unlimited possibilities
Difficulty	Easier, less challenging	More difficult, more challenging
Application	Initial evaluation, pediatric testing	Assessing real-world speech perception, cochlear implant outcomes
Example	Pointing to a picture from a small set	Repeating a sentence in a noisy room

Family Trip to Puebla & Spanish Immersion — July 2025

Puebla is a colorful, cultural city away from mass tourism, filled with history, colonial charm, and delicious cuisine. Just two hours from Mexico City, it’s a perfect destination for Spanish learning and exploration.

Drink only bottled water, no street food, no ice drinks, no fruits from the street. Boil the water. If you're sick, getting to the doctor's is cheap.

Travel to Puebla

Taxi from Mexico City Airport: ~2 hours, €100–160

Coaches: cheaper and luxurious

Public transportation: More affordable (~€10–20), takes a bit longer

Spanish Immersion Program

LIVIT Spanish Immersion Center

Privada Nuevo León #18, Col. El Carmen, C.P. 72530, Puebla, Mexico

T +52 (222) 290 6060, Fax +52 (222) 491 2006

Program Details

• 2–3 students per instructor
• Schedule (Mon - Fri):
• 9 am –1 pm: Classes
• 1 – 2 pm: Lunch (Mon/Wed/Fri meals by Chef Flora)
• 2 – 4 pm: One-on-one conversations OR cultural tours (Mon–Wed)
• **Thursday excursions outside Puebla

Cultural & Historical Attractions

Churches

1.    Iglesia de Santo Domingo & Capilla del Rosario

Baroque masterpiece built between 1571–1659. The gilded Capilla del Rosario is an ornate highlight once considered the 8th wonder of the world.

2.    Templo Convento San Francisco

Built 1535–1760, this richly decorated church is one of Puebla's oldest religious sites.

3.    Cathedral Basilica of Puebla

A city icon with 70-meter towers. Construction of its towers took nearly two centuries!

Art & Markets

• Mercado de Parian

Traditional artisan market — ideal for unique souvenirs like Talavera pottery.

• Barrio del Artista

Puebla’s creative quarter filled with local artists and open studios.

City Center Highlights

• Zócalo de Puebla

Puebla’s historic main square. Lively spot with restaurants, performances, and colonial architecture.

Zona Histórica de los Fuertes

Where the famous Battle of Puebla (Cinco de Mayo, 1862) took place.

• Monuments, museums, and large green areas
• Explore the battle site and its significance in Mexican history

Biblioteca Palafoxiana

The first public library in the Americas (1646). Free; very small.

• UNESCO-listed
• Holds over 45,000 rare books and manuscripts
• A must-see for history and book lovers

Puente de Bubas

500-year-old tunnels, formerly used to isolate those with the plague (“bubas”).

• Open to public since 2016
• Small museum + rooftop view
• Be prepared for a musty smell but an interesting visit!

Street Art in Puebla

Puebla's historic core is full of colorful murals and striking graffiti.

Great walking tour or self-guided stroll for photos and art lovers.

Lucha Libre Show

Once a week, ARENA PUEBLA https://cmll.com/ . Tickets go fast, so buy them online or at the window in the morning. If sold out, buy from the dialers, double the price but worth to see it. The balcony has a good view. The show starts at 7 pm. Line up at least 30 minutes earlier.

Ecological Parks in Puebla

These city parks combine recreational areas with environmental conservation. Big/to relax.
Perfect for:

• Walking, running, or cycling
• Family picnics and playgrounds
• Learning about local ecosystems

Key parks include:

• Parque Ecológico Revolución Mexicana
• Jardín del Arte
• Parque Centenario Laguna de Chapulco

Teleférico de Puebla

Cable car ride with panoramic views over the city. 

• $38 MXN one-way | $57 MXN round-trip, € 2.50
• Tue - Sun: 10:30 am – 9:30 pm
• Two gondolas hold 35 passengers each
• ~3 - 5 minutes ride time

Hiking Iztaccíhuatl Volcano  

Tough alpine hike with epic views of Popocatépetl; best for experienced hikers.

 

Day	Morning	Afternoon	Evening
Monday	Spanish class	City orientation tour	Dinner in Zócalo
Tuesday	Spanish class	Barrio del Artista & Parian	Ride the Teleférico
Wednesday	Spanish class	Visit churches (Santo Domingo, etc.)	Cultural performance
Thursday	Spanish class	Excursion to Zona de los Fuertes	Explore street food
Friday	Spanish class	Biblioteca Palafoxiana & Puente de Bubas	Free time/shopping
Saturday	Ecological Park	Visit Ecological Park (Whole day)	Group dinner
Sunday	Day trip	Visit pyramid & church in Cholula

Travel Tips

• July is rainy season — bring rain gear & light jackets
• Stay hydrated and use sunscreen even when cloudy
• Use Uber or Didi for safe, affordable rides
• Local specialties to try: mole poblano, cemitas, chiles en nogada (seasonal), and tamales
• Many museums offer discounts for students, teachers, and INAPAM holders
• Most museums are closed on Mondays

 

Summer Auditory-Oral Practice Tips For Children with Cochlear Implants and Hearing Aids

 Summer Auditory-Oral Practice Tips

For Children with Cochlear Implants and Hearing Aids 

by Urszula Glogowska, M.Ed, CCC-SLP, TSHH

Dear Parents, 

Below are the exercises designed to help your child continue building listening, speaking, and school readiness skills over summer break in fun, everyday ways. 

Thanks and regards, Urszula Głogowska (Speech Teacher)

1. Keep Devices On and Listening Ready

• Daily Device Check: Start the day with a listening check (e.g., Ling Six Sounds: ah, ee, oo, sh, s, m).

• Routine Use: Wear devices during all waking hours unless swimming or sleeping.

• Pack Smart for Trips: Bring backup batteries, chargers, drying kits, and accessories.

2. Build Listening and Speaking Skills Every Day

• Narrate Daily Life: Talk through what you're doing—“I’m cutting the apple. Now I’m putting it in the bowl.”

• Use Listening First: Give your child time to listen before showing visuals or gestures.

• Expand Language: When your child says something simple, build on it.
  Child: “Dog!” You: “Yes, the big brown dog is barking!”

3. Practice Speech & Listening Goals Naturally

• Practice target sounds or sentence patterns during:

• Mealtimes, e.g. /m/: “Mmm, more milk please!” “Can I have some ___?”

• Bath time, e.g. “Shhh! The water is splashing!” “I am washing your hair.”

• Car rides, e.g. /s/: “See the sun!” “Where is the truck?”

• Playtime, e.g. /b/: “Boom! The blocks fell down!” “Look! It’s a big dinosaur!” 

• Use favorite toys or characters to make it playful and engaging.

4. Letter-Sound Awareness & Phonological Play

• Letter-Sound Practice: Focus on a few letters a week. Emphasize the sound each letter makes.
  “B says /b/ like ball!”

• Find Beginning & Ending Sounds:
  “What sound do you hear at the beginning of ‘sun’?”

• “What sound do you hear at the end of ‘dog’?”

• Use Books & Games: Try alphabet puzzles, foam letters in the bath, or phonics-focused apps.

5. Academic Readiness Review

Help your child stay school-ready by reviewing:

• Colors: Use crayons, clothes, or outdoor items - “Find something red!”

• Numbers: Count snacks, toys, steps, or claps.

• Shapes: Point out circles, squares, triangles … in the home and outside.

• Opposites: Talk about big/small, hot/cold, fast/slow … while reading or during play.

• Sorting & Matching: Sort laundry by color, group toys by size, or match socks - great for vocabulary and thinking skills.

6. Use Music, Rhymes & Rhythm

• Sing Together Daily: Songs with repetition support memory and listening (e.g., Wheels on the Bus, If You’re Happy and You Know It, Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes, Days of the Week, Months of the Year).

• Rhyming Practice: Read or make up silly rhymes - “cat, hat, mat.”

• Echo Games: Say a word or phrase and have your child repeat it to build clarity and memory.

7. Play Listening & Language Games

• “I Spy” with Sounds: “I spy something that starts with /m/.”

• Simon Says: For practicing listening to directions and body part vocabulary.

• What’s That Sound?: Use sound clips or make sounds behind your back and guess together.

8. Use Everyday Activities for Learning

• Cooking Together: Great for sequencing (first, next, last), following directions, and using descriptive words.

• Outdoor Exploration: Describe what you see and hear—“The leaves are rustling,” “That’s a loud lawnmower!”

9. Create a Summer Listening & Language Journal

• Let your child draw pictures of daily activities or special trips.

• Help them label or dictate what they drew—focus on using full sentences, past tense verbs, and descriptive words.

10. Listening in Noise Practice

• Gently introduce background noise during activities: soft music, fan, or outdoor sounds.

• Encourage your child to focus on your voice, even when there’s other sound.

11. Stay Connected with Professionals

• Ask your child’s SLP or AVT for summer carryover activities.

• Keep audiology appointments up to date (e.g., mappings or hearing aid checks before school starts).

Ling Six Sounds & Examples

Sound	Phoneme	Sound Type	Example Word	How to Practice
/a/ (ah)	Low-frequency	Vowel	“father,” “hot,” “mop”	Say “ahhh” in a sustained voice. Have your child repeat or respond (e.g., raise a hand).
/i/ (ee)	High-frequency	Vowel	“beet,” “feet,” “see”	Say “eeeee” like in “cheese.” Emphasize smiling lips and clear vowel sound.
/u/ (oo)	Low-to-mid frequency	Vowel	“boot,” “moon,” “food”	Say “ooooo” like a ghost sound. Round your lips and encourage imitation.
/ʃ/ (sh)	Mid-to-high frequency	Fricative	“shoe,” “shh,” “shark”	Whisper “shhhh” as if quieting someone. Check if your child notices it.
/s/ (s)	High-frequency	Fricative	“snake,” “sun,” “ice”	Say “ssssss” like a snake. This is a very soft and high sound—harder to hear.
/m/ (m)	Low-frequency	Nasal	“mom,” “moo,” “man”	Say “mmmmmm” like you're enjoying food. Touch your nose or lips to show vibration.

How to Use the Ling Sounds

1. Listening Check (Detection):
   Say each sound without the child seeing your mouth (e.g., behind a screen or while covering your mouth). Ask:
   
   “Did you hear that sound?”
   
   

2. Identification:
   Present 2–3 sounds and ask:
   
   “Which one was that—‘ah’ or ‘sh’?”
   
   

3. Imitation:
   Have the child repeat the sound back to you to monitor production.
   
   

4. Daily Routine Tip:
   Use the Ling Six Sounds in the morning as a quick sound check with devices on and functioning.