Students who are deaf or hard of hearing are confronted with many specific difficulties in a classroom environment. All students come to a classroom with different learning styles and abilities. This is also true when it comes to the students level of hearing impairment. Not all children have equal disabilities when it comes to their hearing loss or impairment. Deciding what options for classroom success are based on their level of impairment that range from "deaf, deafness or hard of hearing". ("Accredited Schools Online" 2017). Once that is determined, there are many options to use assisted technology (AT) in the classroom. Assisted technology includes devices and Apps that can help students with alert systems, note taking, communication during group work or presentation, and allowing students to have independence and control of their learning. 
In some instances, assisted technology may be something relatively simple, such as closed captioning or the use of a hearing aid. Other assistance comes in the form of devices that the student has with them in the classroom. Some different types of assisted technology devices include:
Assistive listening devices (ALDS)- These will help to boost sounds in the classroom that want to be heard when background noise may be an issue. This device can be especially useful for students who are using hearing aids or have a cochlear implant. ("Caden Assitive Technolgy" 2017)
http://www.cochlear.com/wps/wcm/connect/au/home/understand/hearing-and-hl/hl-treatments/cochlear-implant
Augmentative and Alternative communication devices (AAC)- These are used to help students articulate what they want to say. They may include picture boards or text to speech devices. ("Caden Assistive Technology" 2017)
Alerting Devices- These are devices that vibrate, make an alarming sound, or light up when there is an event, such as fire alarms or a phone ringing. ("Caden Assistive Technology" 2017)
http://cadanat.com/deaf-students/
Another device used to help hearing impaired students in the classroom is the I-pad. I-pads offer a variety of different uses for deaf or hard of hearing students. Built in apps, face time and instant messaging are just some of the options. Face time allows deaf or hard of hearing students a chance to see another person and to communicate with sign language. The I-pad can also be used to translate sign language for students. This is not only a great tool for the student but also helps the teacher if they are having difficulty communicating. The I-pad enhances a students ability to communicate and can provide speech to text apps, apps that will help with asking questions, and picture boards for early learners. In, “Educational Microcosms on iPad”, they say, “It is an undeniable fact that computers (including tablets, such as iPads) are nowadays a major instrument for modern school education”. (2012) It shows that the impact technology has in the classroom can be a very life changing and helpful tool to students who have a disability. A website that can help with information about different apps can be found on the link below.
http://appsineducation.blogspot.com/2012/01/so-whats-on-ipad-for-kid-in-your-class.html
Technology has been shown to strengthen the ability for hard of hearing or deaf students to learn in an inclusive classroom. Developments and advancements in the tech world are always taking place, offering a future filled with beneficial learning opportunities. "Incorporating technology increases students' motivation to learn and personalizes lessons to a student's individual needs." ("Learn NC" 2017). The tools that are available for hearing impaired students' continue to assist in learning and education.
Websites Used
Supporting Deaf
and Hard of Hearing Students. (n.d.). Retrieved February 10, 2017, from http://www.accreditedschoolsonline.org/resources/students-with-hearing-impairments/
Assistive
Technology for Deaf Students. (n.d.). Retrieved February 10, 2017, from http://cadanat.com/deaf-students/
Center, G. U.
(n.d.). Assistive Technologies for Individuals Who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.
Retrieved February 10, 2017, from https://www.gallaudet.edu/clerc-center/info-to-go/assistive-technology/assistive-technologies.html
Student
Disability Services. (n.d.). Retrieved February 10, 2017, from http://sites.allegheny.edu/disabilityservices/students-who-are-deaf-or-hard-of-hearing/
Assistive
Technology - Top Apps for Students with Special Needs. (n.d.). Retrieved
February 10, 2017, from http://www.specialeducationguide.com/pre-k-12/tools-and-research/7-apps-to-use-as-assistive-technology/
8 great apps for
children with hearing loss. (2017, February 10). Retrieved February 10, 2017,
from http://www.healthyhearing.com/report/51839-8-great-apps-for-children-with-hearing-loss
So what's on the
iPad for the kid in your class with a Hearing Impairment? (n.d.). Retrieved
February 10, 2017, from http://appsineducation.blogspot.com/2012/01/so-whats-on-ipad-for-kid-in-your-class.html
Educational
microcosms on iPad - IEEE Xplore Document. (n.d.). Retrieved February 10, 2017,
from http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/6402225/?reload=true
Teaching deaf
students in the inclusive classroom: Part 1. (n.d.). Retrieved February 10,
2017, from http://www.learnnc.org/lp/multimedia/15900
How do special
education students benefit from technology? (n.d.). Retrieved February 10,
2017, from http://www.learnnc.org/lp/pages/6917?ref=search
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