Deaf & Hard of Hearing
Who We Are
Teachers of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (TDHH), also known as Hearing Resource Teachers (HRT), are specially trained professionals who have earned a Master’s degree in Deaf Education in special education. We are active members of the Canadian Association of Educators of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CAEDHH).
What We Do
Teachers of the Deaf and hard of hearing (TDHH) in SCHOOLS:
- Implement/support curriculum for students who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH)
- Support designated students with their speech and language goals
- Work with students who use hearing aids, FM systems, and cochlear implants
- Help students and train staff to use equipment properly
- Create opportunities to connect students who are DHH both in and out of district
- Develop and implement IEP’s
- Collaboration with teachers and other professionals
- Advocacy for teaching practices
- Help develop self-advocacy for DHH students
- Kindergarten hearing screenings and referrals (not all districts)
TDHH's in SD8 Work with Students in a Variety of Ways:
- Support reading and writing
- Support social-emotional issues especially regarding hearing levels
- Increase students’ understanding of texts, lessons, and oral language
- Increase students’ self-advocacy skills
- Build capacity about the anatomy of the ear, how the ear works, and how to protect hearing.
- Integrate classroom objectives
- Help students understand their hearing loss, their equipment, and teach strategies that help all learners, both hearing and hard of hearing.
Services Can Vary Depending on Student's Needs:
- Individual or small group sessions
- Classroom-based services
- Collaborating and consulting
- Monitoring or periodic screening
Referral Criteria
Possible Reasons for Referral for a Hearing Screen
- If a child appears to be “daydreaming” or not paying attention.
- If a child has challenges focusing when background noise is present.
- If a child has communication challenges with peers.
- If a child has a hard time learning phonemic awareness and pre-reading skills.
- If a child has speech articulation challenges.
- If a child has a history of ear infections.
- A child has had allergies, a cold, and or are stuffed up and have been for a long period of time.
Note: If a child has a documented hearing loss diagnosed from an Audiologist, most likely the TDHH will be involved.
Resources
Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Brochure
Auditory Outreach Provincial Resource Program
BC Family Hearing Resource Society
Canadian Association Of Educators Of The Deaf And Hard Of Hearing (CAEDHH)
Canadian Association of Sign Language Interpreters
Canadian Hard of Hearing Association
Children's Hearing & Speech Centre of BC
Westcoast Association of Visual Language Interpreters (WAVLI)