Maximizing the Use of Hearing and Vision

There are many ways to maximize hearing and vision for a child with deafblindness.

These include medical devices like glasses and hearing aids, assistive technology, and individualized educational accommodations. The foundation for determining the best devices and accommodations for a particular student is a careful, thorough assessment.

Educational personnel play an essential role in helping students use accommodations and devices and making observations about how well they work. Making the most of (maximizing) any vision or hearing that a student with deafblindness has, will help them be as successful as possible in school and life.

A young boy who is deaf-blind and a teacher sit at a computer. The boy is pointing to a large clock on the screen.

Introductory Resources

Slide Presentation
Medical Devices (from OHOA Module "Maximizing Vision and Hearing")
Slide Presentation
Environmental Accommodations (from OHOA Module "Maximizing Vision and Hearing")
Slide Presentation
Instructional Accommodations for Vision (from OHOA Module "Maximizing Vision and Hearing"
External Resource
Promoting Wearing of Glasses
External Resource
Promoting Wearing of Hearing Aids

Learn More

Maximizing Vision and Hearing (OHOA Module)

We must take every opportunity to ensure that we are maximizing the use of every avenue for learning and preserving whatever residual senses exist (Miles & Riggio, 1999, p. 35).

Reference

Clyne, M., Wolfe, J., Blaha, R., Hertzog, T. (2015, September). Maximizing vision and hearing. In National Center on Deaf-Blindness, Open Hands, Open Access: Deaf-Blind Intervener Learning Modules. National Center on Deaf-Blindness.

Miles, B., & Riggio, M. (1999). Understanding deafblindness. In B. Miles, & M. Riggio (Eds.), Remarkable conversations: A guide to development meaningful communication with children and young adults who are deafblind (pp. 21-37). Perkins School for the Blind.

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