Seeking Online Education Options? Check Out This Helpful Resource
With so many choices for college, how do you choose the right one for your interests and needs — including accommodations if you have hearing loss? Over 17% of deaf students are more likely to take their education completely online, per a National Deaf Center on Postsecondary Outcomes report, making awareness of options critical.
At Family Hearing Center, we know the importance of patient empowerment. And that includes being able to learn on your own terms. It’s why we encourage you to check out the Online College Guide for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Students published by the web platform Intelligent. The guide may be just the resource you’re looking for.
Accessibility Challenges
Academic settings can present a plethora of accessibility challenges for those with hearing loss. Among the primary concerns: communication barriers. Conventional lecture formats that depend heavily on spoken language, for example, can hinder learning for those who rely on sign language. Students may struggle to follow discussions or participate in group projects.
Similarly, inaccessible course materials — videos lacking captions or transcripts, audio-only podcasts, and the like — can interfere with students’ abilities to fully participate. As well, audio-based assessments, such as oral presentations, can pose difficulties. Alternative assessment formats such as written assignments or visual presentations may be crucial to ensure fair evaluations.
Another area of concern is stigma and misconceptions around hearing loss, which can affect support and inclusion. Though nearly 1 in 5 people worldwide have some level of hearing trouble, not everyone understands the condition, wants to talk about it openly, is socially welcoming of those with listening challenges, or appreciates the importance of providing relevant accommodations.
Schools can help eliminate some of these roadblocks by:
- Installing hearing loops in physical classrooms, for use with hearing aids or cochlear implants
- Ensuring transcripts for audio-only lectures and podcasts
- Providing real-time captions for video presentations
- Creating visual-aid options and text-based alternatives for lectures and oral assessments
- Choosing online-instruction platforms with robust accommodation features
- Offering sign-language interpreters and assistive-listening equipment as needed
- Instituting policies that help drive educational access for those with hearing difficulties
- Training instructors and administrative staff on inclusive communication strategies
- Fostering a welcoming student environment through awareness-building
Guidebook Overview
The above-linked Online College Guide for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Students tackles several accessibility issues. In addition to providing a list of the six “best colleges for deaf and hard of hearing students,” the guide breaks down some of the common challenges they face. It also touches on the transition to online courses — including preparing and being proactive in seeking support.
Readers will also learn about:
- The long-standing Americans With Disabilities Act
- Various types of accommodations
- Solutions if a school doesn’t offer accommodations
- Popular assistive listening devices and mobile apps
- Competitive academic scholarships potentially available
- Additional resources — descriptions and links to other organizations
Want to compare schools? An interactive portion of the guide lets you select a desired degree, category of study, and subject to find a program that may match your interests. Choosing “Master’s,” “Science & Engineering,” and “Biology,” for example, yielded several potential matches, but you have to provide a few more details about yourself to see the actual results.
We especially like the tone of this guide — compassionate and frank. With a knowledgeable and supportive perspective, it walks you through many factors to consider in vetting online college choices. It even provides a bit of timely advice from National Association for the Deaf education policy specialist Sarah Honigfeld, who shares personal experience from her time as a student.
Professional Care
Optimizing your college experience includes counting on highly trained audiology professionals you can trust. We take pride in addressing the unique challenges faced by community members with hearing difficulties, including providing patient education, diagnostic testing, personalized treatment plans, and other professional support to enhance communication abilities and overall well-being.
We’re not only experts in hearing health, including solutions such as today’s advanced hearing aids and cochlear implants, but also can explain helpful accessories that can further empower you — options like:
- FM systems
- Captioned telephones
- Visual and vibratory safety alerts
- TV adapters
- Remote microphones
- And more
Have questions about hearing your best or navigating accommodations for online learning? We’re HEAR to help. Reach out to our knowledgeable team today!