Amplification during one-to-one

and small group instruction

Dr Damien Howard

Currently amplification used in
schools is provided to the whole
class through sound field systems
where speakers amplify the
teacher’s voice to everyone; or
individual amplification systems
where the teacher’s voice is ampli-
fied to an individual student via a
bone conductor, a behind the ear
hearing aid and/or FM system.
Now, an amplification device is
available for use during one-to-
one and small group classroom
instruction. Many Indigenous
adults with Conductive Hearing
Loss (CHL) described that the in-
dividualised help that they re-
ceived (both at and outside
school) as being of greatest assis-
tance to them.
This type of help is usually pro-
vided by teaching assistants, spe-
cialist teachers and classroom
teachers in class - often in the
presence of much background
noise. Providing amplification dur-
ing one-to-one help enables maxi-
mum benefits to be derived from
this support.
This kind of amplification may
be especially beneficial for Indige-
nous children for whom English is
their second language. Sounds
that are most commonly hardest
to hear when a child has CHL are
often not present in Indigenous
languages. An Indigenous child
with CHL may thus struggle to
learn English. Using individualised
amplification, especially during
phonics training and other small
group literacy work carried out in
noisy classrooms will benefit stu-
dents with CHL.
The stigma sometimes associ-
ated with hearing aids worn by
students can be reduced when
using this type of individual ampli-
fication.
This device can be used in
class with a small group if used in
conjunction with a ‘listening post’.
Many schools may still have lis-
tening posts in storage rooms or
libraries where they are not being
used. When combined with the
individual amplification device
these listening posts can be used
to create small group instruction
where children can clearly hear
what is said even in noisy class-
rooms.
Caution.
The individual amplification
device is quite powerful. The de-
vices I sell have been adjusted to
limit the maximum loudness to be
more appropriate for use in
schools. If not adjusted to limit
loudness, and if they were turned
up suddenly, they could damage
hearing.
Even with the adjusted devices
it is best that only the instructor
touches the controls on the pocket
talker. They should make sure the
volume is turned to its lowest set-
ting after each use and turned up
slowly.
Ideally each student should
have their own set of headphones
for hygiene reasons. In schools
where students have internet
headphones, these can be used
with the individual amplification
device.

If you are interested in purchasing an individual amplification device,

please contact Dr Damien Howard on (08) 8948 4444 or e-mail
damien@phoenixconsulting.com.au
For further information on Conductive Hearing Loss go to www.eartroubles.com

Dr Damien Howard is a Darwin based psychologist and educator who has been conducting research into the social
outcomes of hearing loss for over 15 years.

Copyright Phoenix Consulting, October 2007