Seeking Advice from fellow teachers and coping in the classroom

[daverussell]

I teach computing to 16-19 yr olds. Are there any teacher or members who have a similar challenge that could share advice?

I have mild hearing loss, with tinnitus 24/7 and hyperacusis. In the classroom, interaction is difficult. I have a lot of trouble focusing. Conversations with students are very difficult. The classroom can be noisy, but even normal conversation is unbearably loud. To hear correctly, I have to be on the same level and close.I have to be meticulous with planning. If I'm trying to recall something, think of an answer I struggle.

A normal 2 hour lesson is exhausting and if I'm teaching 5 to 6 hours a day I'm done for the week.

I've recently ditched hearing aids and Sertraline to help anxiety due to side effects. I wear musician earplugs which is better for Hyperacusis but not hearing.

If there are any teachers on here, what strategies do you use for the classroom.

For example, styles of delivery. I personally promote independence, but planning and instruction need to be written clearly. Likewise, the time spent planning is tiring too.

Thanks in advance. Dave R

[PABLR]

I was really losing my hearing in my last few years of teaching and I taught Language Arts and Social Studies. I was lucky in that I was teaching overseas in an international school and so smaller classes and generally well behaved kids. I wasn't wearing hearing aids at that point (possibly the downside of being overseas was getting that all set up) but I did a couple of things that helped to some extent.

First I was completely upfront with the kids. I told them what was going on, that for me some days were better than others, but that there were various things I needed to put into place for all of us. One was hands raised, wait to be called on and wait for me to move to them to hear what they had to say. It was pretty successful with most of my students.

When they were having discussions in small groups I asked one person in each group to write quick bullet points about what was discussed. I moved around the room, listened to as much as I could, would ask the occasional question to move discussion along, but did not participate as much as I would have liked. I would ask a final question about what they were discussing and they all had to complete a short answer and hand it in.

When I was working with a student one on one I would take them to the quietest spot in the room, set up with a sofa and a small table and work with them there, positioned so that I could see the whole room.

You're already doing the planning piece. In my school we had to have everything on the smart board/OHP/ whatever the current technology was so all my lessons were on slides, homework written, expectations for that day etc. They would know what were going to do before they came in if they bothered to look or as soon as they came in if not as it was up on the board when they entered.

The disadvantage of being in a private international school was that I often worked twelve hour days (English teachers do so MUCH grading, giving of feedback etc and in that environment there were no shortcuts) and it was extremely tiring, especially my last year when I had five LA classes, one of them completely new, across three grade levels, so I tried never to take work home even if I had to stay late to do it. Then when I did get home I could do what I wanted or nothing, or have a really early night knowing I was ready for the next day.

You are probably doing this anyway, or the same kinds of things as they apply to your students. I would be upfront with them if you think they would respond well. Some will not, inevitably, but if you can get the majority on your side you will find they will start telling others to be quiet or remind them that Mr. Russell doesn't hear too well. But you know your kids and in some situations it might just make things worse.

Good luck.

[daverussell in reply to PABLR]

Thank you for the reply - and level of detail. Good advise.Yes I'm very upfront and I've not had a problem. A few students do mumble or like to talk. Like you say, we have put our own measures and strategies in place.

I'm lucky to work in an environment / society where students are very accepting and open about their own anxieties, and generally accepting of differences.