In Part II of Michael’s Story, he has just been provided with auditory testing to test his hearing capacity. Mrs. Craven, the District audiologist is excited to share the results with Michael's team. She has sent the results to Michael’s Case Manager, Mr. Smith who has called another IEP meeting to discuss the results with Michael’s IEP team.
“So what do the results say about Michael’s hearing?” Ms. Jones asked impatiently.
“Mr. and Mrs. Warren, is Michael attending this meeting? Mr. Smith asked Michael’s parents before he
responded to Ms. Jones' question.
“Yes Michael is attending along with Mrs. Craven the District audiologist,” Mrs. Warren told the group.
When Michael and Mrs. Craven entered the room and sat on one side of the table, Michael was sporting a huge grin. Mrs. Craven pulled out a folder with Michael’s test results as Mr. Smith passed around copies of the results. In the column marked hearing test results, there was a check next to “yes” and written information.
“Michael has been tested for a hearing deficit. In the box marked “yes,” Michael does have hearing difficulties,” Mrs. Craven
said reading the report.
“What does that mean?” Michael’s father, Mr. Warren asked.
“It means that he has a degree of hearing loss. Michael has a hearing deficit that can be resolved with an assistive listening
device,” Mrs. Craven explained to the team.
“What does that mean in the classroom?” Ms. Jones asked listening intently for a response that involved teacher expectations.
“It means that your classroom will be outfitted with an “Assistive Listening Device” (ALD) to help Michael hear what’s being
said in your classroom,” http://www.asha.org/public/hearing/treatment/assist_tech.htm.
“But how will that impact my other students?” Ms. Jones continued.
“An ALD is intended to provide Michael with better hearing ability which will allow him to actually hear what’s being said in
the classroom. Michael will be able to function better in the classroom because he will be able to hear what's being said and
asked of him in terms of instructions and homework assignments,” Mrs. Craven explained to the group and specifically to Ms.
Jones.
In Part III, Mrs. Craven will explain how the ALD will work in Ms. Jones’ classroom and how it will create greater academic success for Michael who will be able to better hear and understand classroom instructions and respond appropriately in peer interactions and in group activities.