AT Communication
Assistive Technology is used in various ways to help students communicate. If a student has a hearing impairment or difficulty speaking, there are a variety of AT devices to help that student communicate. Let's look at the tools and resources AT has to offer for those students!
A student with a hearing impairment?
Here are a variety of devices individuals with hearing impairments can use to communicate.
Hearing Aids: This device is put inside the ear of an individual. It helps amplify sound, so the person with partial hearing loss can hear better.
American Sign Language (ASL): This is a visual-gestural language for people to communicate with one another that have no hearing or hearing loss.
iPads: This device can be a great tool to use for students with hearing loss. It has built in accessibility features for students with a hearing impairment. For example, the FaceTime feature allows people with a hearing impairment to communicate through a video chat.
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Cochlear Implant: This small device is surgically implanted on a persons cochlea. There is a piece that is surgically implanted right behind the ear on the outside of the head and another piece that is under the skin. This stimulates the cochlea and allows a person to hear sound. This device helps people who are profoundly deaf or severely hard of hearing.
The video to the left shows an 8 month old baby hearing voices for the first time after he received a cochlear implant. |
What if a student has a hard time with verbal output?
Every student is different, which causes a variety of speaking abilities. For example: a student may have little verbal communication or no verbal communication. These tools can help a student speak and communicate with others around them. Let's look at what tools are available for students who have trouble speaking and/or communicating.
Augmentative and Alternative Communication: There are a variety of communication devices available to help those who do not have the physical capabilities to speak. It can be a computer system based communication device or a simple communication board. AAC comes in a variety of ways. It is customized to the student that is using the device. Here is a video to better explain what Augmentative and Alternative Communication is.
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Examples of AAC:
PECS- A communication device for students that have trouble speaking. This gives a student the opportunity to have a voice and communicate with peers and teachers. Watch the video to the left to explain what PECS is and how it is used. |
For more resources on Hearing visit:
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (Hearing aids & Cochlear Implants)
National Association of the Deaf (ASL)
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (Hearing aids & Cochlear Implants)
National Association of the Deaf (ASL)