Tool #3 Get close

Tool # 3 Get close

13 tools D/HH advocacy by Gail Wright

If a student chose to use just I of the 13 tools, "Get Close" would solve 99% of communication breakdowns.

With that said......

it is impossible to always have the Speaker (teacher) be within 3 feet of the Listener (the student). 

Busy and Noisy

Classrooms are busy, noisy places. While hands on learning and small groups are effective  teaching tools, they present a challenge for the child with hearing loss. 

Where is it busiest and noisiest

Ask a child with hearing loss what they don't like about school. Most of them will say, "Gym,  Lunch and Recess -I can't hear my friends." If 

they learn to "get close" to the person who is  talking they will have much more success! 

Other reasons to get close

While "Getting Close" doesn't reduce the  challenge of background noise -getting close does allow for speech reading

First things first - Phase I 

The young child needs to be placed in "the correct position in the room. Assign them a desk that is close to where the teacher typically stands when giving instruction. They also need to learn to move themselves to the front of the group when called over to the carpet. Young children may need help setting up a friend to play with on the playground and sit near at lunch. Friends need to be reminded that the child with hearing loss may not know they are being asked to join the game on the playground. It is important everyone knows to "get close" to be sure messages are heard. 

Next... Phase 2 

While teachers should place students is the most advantageous seat based on their hearing loss, students should speak up if they are placed incorrectly. Students at this stage should also begin to independently move themselves to the front for challenging environments. 

For the older student - Phase 3 

By now, students should be choosing the most  advantageous seat for their hearing loss, speaking up if they are placed incorrectly as well as managing challenging listening environments such as PE and the Cafeteria.