Hearing services include direct services to students who are deaf or hard of hearing. Staff members also provide consultation and collaboration with our district partners in the hearing domain.
Audiology
Educational audiologists within Iowa’s AEAs apply principles, methods and procedures for evaluation of hearing functioning in order to plan, counsel, coordinate, and provide intervention strategies and services for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing from birth through graduation from high school.
Audiology services/supports include:
- Establish, administer and coordinate hearing screening programs
- Provide diagnostic hearing assessments
- Refer for medical or hearing related services, including helping families navigate identification, diagnosis, and treatment for hearing loss.
- Recommend classroom accommodations to improve learner’s access to instruction.
- Provide information on communication and educational programming options.
- Assess learner’s need for hearing assistive technology for utilization in school related activities and help facilitate the maintenance of properly functioning amplification.
- Provide coaching and guidance to learners, families and school staff regarding hearing loss and its impact on student achievement, as well as proper use of amplification and accommodations.
- Promote learner independence in the use of amplification, assistive technology and accommodations to improve auditory access in their environment
- Participate in learner-centered meetings
Audiology Resources
Teachers of the Deaf & Hard of Hearing
Teachers of the Deaf & Hard of Hearing are trained professionals who work with learners who are deaf or hard of hearing. They assess the child’s needs, work with the child to communicate (whether it be sign language or verbal), support academic and functional goals, provide support to school personnel, monitor the child’s progress and consult with the child’s family and teachers on the best strategies for working with him/her. Teachers of the Deaf & Hard of Hearing work with young children in the home and often continue to work with the child throughout their school career.