The twins are scheduled for hearing tests at our local university Hearing/Speech center later next month. This will be their annual hearing test but we are using our local university this time and not our previous hoge podge of different audiology centers. So, this means paperwork coordination galore. Yesterday, I spent awhile signing and faxing consents for audiology reports for both boys from Seattle Children's and Bellingham ENT so those histories can go to our university to better prepare the audiologists there.
To back up, hearing loss is mild to moderate in both boys, at times, and they have PE tubes to help reduce fluid and recurring ear infections. Their reports last summer put them at "age appropriate range" for hearing, but indicated mild to moderate loss. I noticed Liam having difficulties hearing his swimming instructor during lessons, and I would casually get right in front of his face and repeat in a fun way what the instructor just said so he could hear it better. Anytime there is background noise (music, loud splashing in the water, talking, tv) I notice they have trouble following directions or even hearing those directions. Tommy struggles with background noise alot. And at the last Wa State Sensory Disabilities meeting with our school disctrict preschool team there was mention of using the FM transmitter in the classroom so he could better hear teacher instructions. In addition to sign language, picture communication, and spoken words, the FM transmitter might something the audiologist would recommend depending on what their hearing reports show.
Here is info on FM transmitters in classrooms:
In a typical classroom, there are often many distracting background noises such as talking, paper rustling, shuffling feet, air-handling systems and audio-visual equipment. These sounds may be almost as loud as a teacher's voice. In addition, most teachers move around the classroom or turn away from students when writing on a chalkboard, causing the loudness of their voice to vary. For most students with normal hearing, everyday classroom noises do not cause problems. For students with a hearing loss, however, background noises and distance can interfere with hearing and understanding. For these students, hearing aids can amplify the teacher's voice, but they also amplify background noises. Even with the use of hearing aids distance effects are still present. Students with minimal or fluctuating hearing loss, unilateral (one-sided) hearing loss or attention problems also struggle with background noise interference and distance effects, and may not be candidates for hearing aids.
FM (Frequency Modulated) systems may be a solution for many students. FM amplification systems (also called auditory trainers) transmit the teacher's voice directly to the student at a constant level, insuring that the teacher's voice is heard above the level of background noise, regardless of the teacher's distance from the student.
FM systems consist of a microphone, a transmitter (or mic-transmitter combination), a receiver and some method of routing sounds from the receiver to the student's ear.
The teacher wears the microphone and transmitter. The microphone is placed eight inches or less from the teacher's mouth. The transmitter changes the electrical signal from the microphone into an FM signal, which is sent to the student's receiver. Because the teacher's mouth is close to the microphone, background noise is much softer by comparison.
In addition, no matter where the teacher stands in the classroom, the student will hear the teacher's voice as if it was coming from a few inches away. Most FM systems also allow teachers to connect audio and audio-visual equipment to the FM transmitter, providing a clear audio signal to the student.
There is a large variety of FM systems and options available for the classroom. Parents, the student, school personnel and the student's audiologist should work together to choose a system that will provide the most benefit and flexibility in the student's environment.
Once an FM system is chosen for a student, it must be set to fit their individual listening needs. An audiologist, using specialized test equipment, adjusts both external volume controls and internal response controls. In addition, school personnel benefit from in-service training about using and troubleshooting FM equipment. FM system use requires planning and teamwork to help students with hearing losses succeed in the classroom
Grace Unhinged -- A mom's daily ramblings of raising a daughter and three sons. Young adults, twin boys, a farm with goats to chickens, gardening and quilting, work and my sweet husband especially. Taking a day at a time and by the grace of God, we make it thru.