Assistive Listening Technology Can Greatly Benefit Students

fm system for classroom, voice amplifier, hearing aid loop

Education is crucial for success. However, in an inclusive classroom, many students with hearing impairments find it a constant struggle. Factors like noise within a classroom, rapid changes in topic, and too many students involved in discussions, more often than not, prevent students with hearing impairments from participating, hearing, and understanding verbal classroom communication, which is an essential school activity. Assistive listening devices can greatly improve the student’s ability to participate and understand within the classroom.

What Are Assistive Listening Devices?

Assistive Listening Devices or ALDs amplify sounds that are important to be heard where there is background noise. They can be used to assist individuals wearing cochlear implants or hearing aids to hear particular sounds clearer. 

Common Assistive Listening Devices Used In Classrooms

There are several types of ALDs available for use in classrooms and the most commonly used are as follows:

FREQUENCY MODULATION (FM) SYSTEM

Probably the most used assistive listening system is the FM system for classrooms. It utilises radio signals or waves to send audio within the classroom. The teacher speaks into a compact transmitter microphone, commonly clipped to clothing or worn around their neck. 

For the student to benefit from the FM system for the classroom, they need to have a receiver that comes with a headset or a hearing aid. The receiver transmits the audio sent by the teacher directly to their ears. They are considered good tools for classrooms as they are convenient, simple to use, and effective. 

  • INDUCTION LOOP OR HEARING LOOP

    The induction loop, sometimes called the hearing loop or hearing aid loop, uses 4 components:

  • A microphone for the speaker
  • An amplifier
  • A special type of loop wire around the classroom
  • Receiver or headset for the listener

  • VOICE AMPLIFICATION SYSTEM

The voice amplifier is often mistaken for a microphone because a mic is typically a component of a voice amplification system. However, voice amplifiers are a type of device all on their own. 

A voice amplifier has a wireless microphone worn by the teacher commonly as a headpiece, connected to speakers throughout the classroom. The system is similar to a PA or a public address system. 

Assistive listening devices can greatly help students, whether hearing impaired or not, in a classroom. ALDs are an effective means to help hearing impaired students hear much better so they can gain confidence and participate in the classroom.

 

Location: Australia

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