When the Mrs. Craven arrived with a representative from the company specializing in ALDs (Assistive Listening Devices), Ms. Jones warmly welcomed them both into the classroom. Michael joined them in the front of the room for a class show and tell. The representative would tell about the ALD in the classroom and Michael would show his classmates, the tiny hearing-aid that he wore in his left ear. Michael was excited to be the center of attention for the right reasons.
Mrs. Craven pointed to Michael to begin the class discussion and open the floor for student questions and sharing.
“See this here,” Michael said pointing the hearing aid in his left ear. "This is my hearing helper."
There was a mumble of voices as students yelled out, “Oooh, Does it hurt, Wow.”
“No, it doesn’t hurt and I can barely feel it,” Michael said in response to the ‘hurt” question. He had heard it loud and clear and had trouble containing his happiness at hearing all of his classmates talking at once. When he heard Ms. Jones ask him to take his seat, he heard that too and gladly went to take his seat in the back of the classroom.
Mrs. Craven and the representative went on to tell the class that Michael’s ALD and the system installed in the classroom will help Michael hear and communicate better. She kept stressing that “Hearing Aids + ALDs (Assistive Listening Devices=Better Listening and Hearing = Better Communication and Class Function,” http://www.asha.org/public/hearing/treatment/assist_tech.htm. The class loved the demonstration of the ALD and FM (Frequency Modulation) system worked in amplifying the sound of voices and communication in the classroom. They were excited for Michael most of all.
In Part IV, Ms. Jones explains the advantages for Michael and the entire classroom of having the recently installed FM (Frequency Modulation) system in their newly renovated high-tech 5th grade classroom. She also explains that the FM system is the best assistive listening technology used in school communities for Michael and other students with listening and learning disabilities.