Assistive Devices for Classroom Listening

Abstract

The listening problems experienced by people with hearing loss have been well-documented. Typical classrooms, where listening is so important, are especially noisy and reverberant environments. A number of strategies have been used to help students with hearing loss in the classroom. This article will examine three of the most common classroom assistive listening devices: large-area induction-loop-amplification systems, FM amplification systems, and soundfield amplification systems. Descriptions, benefits, and limitations of the systems will be discussed, along with candidacy issues for each system.

Children with Minimal Conductive Hearing Impairment: Speech Comprehension in Noise

“…These findings provide evidence that the ability of children with bilateral hearing loss to understand everyday speech was compromised, when compared to their normally hearing counterparts. Given that conductive hearing impairment is prevalent in school children and that it would significantly reduce the speech input in noisy classrooms, the use of amplification in classrooms may help improve the speechto-noise ratio and hence reduce the impact of a conductive hearing loss on children's learning [Lewis, 1994].…”

Verfahren zur Anpassung und Erfolgskontrolle von Hörgeräten

“…Durch die Verbesserung des S/N ermöglicht die FM-Anlage das gute Verstehen entfernter Sprecher. Deshalb gehören FM-Anlagen zur Standardversorgung von hörgeräteversorgten Schulkindern in Regelschulen [15,18].…”

Assistive Listening Devices and Hearing Aids: Coupling Considerations

“…Several methods exist for coupling an ALD and a per sonal hearing aid [16]. but a commonly used method is inductive coupling.…”