Assistive Devices for Classroom Listening

Abstract

The listening problems experienced by people with hearing loss have been well-documented. Typical classrooms, where listening is so important, are especially noisy and reverberant environments. A number of strategies have been used to help students with hearing loss in the classroom. This article will examine three of the most common classroom assistive listening devices: large-area induction-loop-amplification systems, FM amplification systems, and soundfield amplification systems. Descriptions, benefits, and limitations of the systems will be discussed, along with candidacy issues for each system.