Your Child’s Rights/Advocating for your Child
The law requires that your child’s IEP team consider if they are deaf or have a hearing loss. They are also required to use assistive devices and services to “maximize accessibility for children with hearing loss. If your child uses assistive technology, the IEP team must also consider assistive technology services. These services may include:
- An evaluation of the child’s need for assistive technology
- Training for the child, family members, and educators about how to use an assistive technology device
- Instruction in how to operate or use a device
- Modifying or customizing a device
- Training school personnel to use the device to ensure that the devices is used appropriately
If your child has a hearing loss or auditory processing disorder, an educational audiologist should be involved in their care at school! An educational audiologist can be brought in to provide in services for staff on your child’s diagnostic test results and how it impacts them in the classroom. The educational audiologist will provide information, but also recommendations on how the teacher’s can better help your child have access to the curriculum. This may be through teaching strategies, hearing assistive technology (H.A.T.), or acoustic modifications.
To learn more about the services offered through Keystone Classroom, click here.
What is HAT?
H.A.T. is an acronym for Hearing Assistive Technology, which encompasses the many different types of equipment that can be used in the classroom to provide students improved access to their teacher’s voice. Examples of HAT equipment include speaker towers, desktop speakers, ceiling speakers, remote microphones, and ear-level equipment that is paired with a FM/DM transmitter worn by the teacher.
Why May A Student Require HAT?
Students that require the use of HAT equipment in the classroom have a diagnosed hearing disorder that prevents them from having equal and appropriate access to their teacher’s voice. These diagnoses may include, but are not limited to, conductive hearing loss, sensorineural hearing loss, and auditory processing disorder. Depending on the students’ individual needs, they may have hearing assistive technology included in their 504 Plan or Individualized Education Plan (IEP).
Speak With An Expert To See What's Right For Your Child
Visit our new student referral process page or Keystone Classroom protocol page to see what our recommended timeline of student services is.