For primary aged pupils:

• Ensure hearing impaired pupils are seated so they can see and hear clearly.
• Remember, the child cannot look at a picture, book or whiteboard and your face at the same time.
• In a group situation, help the child to follow a conversation by indicating who is speaking or repeating group contributions.
• Facilitate the child’s understanding by ‘tuning them in’ to a topic with a lead in sentence, e.g. “I’m
• talking about…”
• Supplement your spoken language with visual materials, gesture, and facial expression.
• Regularly check a child’s understanding by eliciting information, rather than yes/no responses or repetition.
• Be aware of the language level you are using – don’t over simplify, use repetition / rephrasing to ensure information is understood.
• Keep background noise to a minimum.

For secondary aged pupils:

• Ensure hearing impaired pupils are seated so they can see and hear clearly. Please bear this in mind when making seating plans.
• Remember, the pupil cannot look at a picture, book or whiteboard and your face at the same time.
• When using DVDs remember hearing impaired pupils will struggle to take notes as every time they look down they miss information that hearing pupils can listen to.
• In a group situation, help the pupil to follow a conversation by indicating who is speaking – repeat important information.
• Regularly check a pupil understands by eliciting information, rather than yes/no responses or repetition.
• Do not assume that a pupil has a certain knowledge and vocabulary – check what they know first.
• Be aware of the language level you are using – do not over simplify, use repetition / rephrasing to ensure information is understood.
• Keep background noise to a minimum.

You may also find Hearing Impairment Resources – Family Hub (torbayfamilyhub.org.uk) useful.