Survey on knowledge and attitudes toward hearing loss and assistive listening technology among educational professionals

Abstract

Introduction: Based on review of the literature, the academic difficulties secondary to hearing loss have been well documented, as have been the effectiveness of assistive technology (hearing aids, cochlear implants, and FM systems) and efficacy of additional classroom modifications to decrease the degradation of auditory stimuli for listeners with hearing loss. This is an important issue due to the number of school aged children with hearing loss. Aims and Study: The purpose of this study was to determine classroom teachers’ knowledge of and experience with students with hearing loss. Methodology: Subjects were teachers who were recruited via email addresses obtained through websites . Schools were selected based on their districts being contracted for educational audiology services. Recruitment emails were sent to 300 teachers with different grades were selected. A 35-item questionnaire was created through Google form, a survey generating website. This questionnaire was used to obtain information about teachers ’opinions, experience, and familiarity about the impact of hearing loss in the classroom. Questions regarding willingness to work with students with hearing loss were also included. Results: Were based on Experience/Knowledge of Hearing Loss, Willingness to Work with Children with Hearing Loss & familiarity about the hearing loss in children. Conclusion: The study indicated that teachers do not generally receive specific education regarding working with children with hearing loss. The majority of teachers who did have education obtained it from schooling or continuing education/seminars.