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Hearing Impaired

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Special Education
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A - F

  1. Associations
    Includes those at state, national and international level.
    • Australian Sites :
      • Australian Association of the Deaf
        ‘The Australian Association of the Deaf Inc. [AAD] is the national peak organisation for Deaf people in Australia. It represents the views of Deaf people who use Auslan [Australian Sign Language].’
      • Better Hearing Australia
        Originally Victorian, but now covers nationally.
      • Deafness Forum
        ‘The Deafness Forum exists to improve the quality of life for Australians who are Deaf, have a hearing impairment or have a chronic disorder of the ear [and] now represents all interests and viewpoints of the Deaf and hearing impaired communities of Australia.’
      • Deaf Sports Australia [DSA]
        ‘Deaf Sports Australia [DSA] is a vibrant organisation focussed on facilitating the access of deaf and hard of hearing people to the best sporting opportunities available in Australia.’
      • Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind
        One of Australia’s educators for children with special hearing needs.
      • State Bodies :
    • International Sites :
      • ASHA
        [American Speech-Language-Hearing Association]
        ‘ASHA is the professional, scientific, and credentialing association for [ ] audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and speech, language, and hearing scientists.’
      • Canadian Hard of Hearing Association
        ‘The Canadian Hard of Hearing Association is a consumer-based organization formed by and for hard of hearing Canadians. CHHA works cooperatively with professionals, service providers and government bodies, and provides information about hard of hearing issues and solutions.’
      • Canadian Hearing Society, The
        ‘The Canadian Hearing Society is the leading provider of services, products and information that remove barriers to communication, advance hearing health and promote equity for people who are culturally deaf, oral deaf, deafened and hard of hearing.’ Their Programs & Services page is worth checking.
      • National Association of the Deaf
        ‘The oldest and largest constituency organization safeguarding the accessibility and civil rights of 28 million deaf and hard of hearing Americans in education, employment, health care, and telecommunications.’
      • National Cued Speech Association
        Of most interest in the Australian setting, would be the news, features, articles and many of the resources.
      • Riksförbundet DHB
        ‘DHB initiates and participates in several projects related to our children and youth. The projects are performed in order to improve the education of our children and to improve the understanding for our children's situation.’ Home page in Swedish but scroll down to access the English option.
      • Royal National Institute for Deaf People
        ‘RNID is the largest charity working to change the world for the UK’s 9 million deaf and hard of hearing people.’ Find information, resources, a media centre and more.
  2. Children’s Sites
    Sites geared to children of all ages, rather than to adults and professionals.
    • OtiKids
      ‘Kids Corner is the place where you can read about hearing and hearing loss. You can also read stories written by other children with hearing loss from all over the world - and you can play little games in the Fun with OtiKids section.’
    • Our Kids
      A page on ‘Aussie Deaf Kids’ where children can tell something about themselves and read what others have to say about how they are going and what they are doing.
  3. Cued Speech :
  4. Education Sites
    Sites geared to all aspects of education and schooling. You should also check other relevant state/territory links on the main Special Education page.
    • A Resource Guide …
      [To Support Classroom Teachers]
      Covers the range of hearing loss, preparing to teach such students, student interviews, adaptation help, communication tip sheets, student tip sheets, equipment needs, trouble shooting, selected vocabulary and other resources. Done by the British Columbia [CA] Ministry of Education.
    • Deaf Education
      Of most value here would be the Resources, Instructional Resources and Faculty Resources directories. To access some areas you must register.
    • Education Issues
      Covers areas including Starting School, options available, brochures for the teacher, language; literacy, good sites for kids and good sites for high school students. Done in the Australian context as well.
    • Oral Deaf Education
      ‘By combining today’s sophisticated hearing technologies with intensive early intervention, oral deaf education builds a child’s confidence and life skills by teaching children to listen and talk.’ US site with much US-specific information but other information relevant in Australia.
    • Schools & Other Teaching Centres :
      • Aurora School [Vic.]
        Site being developed at present but brochures relating to different educational levels can be downloaded.
      • Cora Barclay Centre, The
        ‘The Cora Barclay Centre was formed in the mid 1940s by a group of South Australian parents who had children who were deaf or hard of hearing. It was known as the South Australian Oral School to stress the oral approach. It catered for children and their families from diagnosis of deafness to 7+ years old. In 1989, [ ] the Centre ceased to be a school and became a therapy centre with a focus on training parents to teach their children to listen and speak using the auditory approach.’
      • Kedron State High School
        Information about their Hearing Impaired Unit and several links to further information.
      • Shepherd Centre, The
        Internationally renowned school for children from 0-6 with hearing difficulty. Dominant oral approach to teaching with partially impaired children.
      • School Programs
        A listing of schools in all states & territories which have hearing impaired programs of all kinds.
      • Schools for Deaf and Hearing Impaired Children
        From Aussie Deaf Kids [see below] ‘This is one of the most important and difficult decision that parents of deaf and hard of hearing children will make. Remember that you know your child and family best. What suits one child and their family may not be right for another. Talk to the professionals, do your research and be well-informed. Children’s needs also change. Don’t be afraid to meet their changing needs.’
      • WAIDE
        [WA Institute for Deaf Education]
        ‘The Western Australian Department of Education and Training provides a State-wide co-ordinated service for children who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing through the WA Institute for Deaf Education [WAIDE]. Parents are provided with a choice of educational settings, ranging from an inclusive placement in a regular school, through to metropolitan specialist schools that are located in inclusive settings and specifically cater for Deaf and Hard of Hearing children.’

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G - L

  1. General Sites & Portals :
    • Australian Sites :
      • Aussie Deaf Kids
        ‘Welcome to Aussie Deaf Kids - online support and resources for parents of hard of hearing and deaf children living in Australia. The Aussie Deaf Kids web site aims to provide you with relevant and easy-to-access information. The Resource Directory will assist you to find information that is relevant to each stage of your child’s life.’
      • Australian Deafness Directory
        View information by state or by organisational groupings. Covers everything from audiology to Social Clubs.
      • Deaf Children Australia
        ‘Deaf Children Australia provides information, advocacy, support services and educational resources that respond to the needs of these children and their families.’ Information supplied in age groupings and related directories.
      • Deaf Education Network
        ‘Connecting deaf and hearing people with education, interpreting and equality.’ NSW based group providing Auslan interpreting, workplace training, courses, awareness training and latest news.
      • Media Access Australia [Captioning]
        ‘Provides information and applies technological solutions to media access issues, including captioning.’
    • International Sites :
      • Don’t Lose the Music
        ‘Don’t Lose The Music highlights the risks to hearing from loud music in clubs, at gigs and from using personal audio equipment - some of the most popular pastimes of the under-30s. The campaign is aimed at 1-30 year olds.’
      • Oticon
        Find information about hearing, hearing technologies, medical aspects of hearing loss and OtiKids [see above].
  2. Government Agencies & Bodies
    This includes those at both state and federal level and includes both agencies and other government-related groups.
    • Australian Hearing
      ‘An Australian Government agency, Australian Hearing is dedicated to helping people manage their hearing impairment so they have a better quality of life. We provide a full range of hearing services for children and young people up to the age of 21, eligible adults and aged pensioners, and most war veterans.’ Their Related Sites page is worth checking as well.
    • Hearing Services
      ‘This section of the [Department of Health & Ageing] website contains information on hearing services.’
    • National Acoustic Laboratories [NAL]
      ‘Undertakes scientific investigations into hearing, hearing habilitation and rehabilitation, and the prevention of hearing loss. We are the research division of Australian Hearing, a Commonwealth Government Authority.’
  3. Hearing Information
    This includes information on ears as well as diseases and conditions related to loss of hearing.
    • Diseases & Conditions :
      • About the Ear
        Covers information on the anatomy of the ear, sound measurement, causes of hearing loss and a range of related health issues. Each provides one or more links to specific information on other sites.
      • Ear Wax
        Ear wax defined, wax problems and treatment procedures.
      • Middle Ear Infection & Grommets
        ‘Infection of the middle ear is the most common cause of temporary hearing loss in children. Middle ear infection is also known as otitis media or glue ear. At any given time one out of every 3 primary school age children will have some form of middle ear condition, often with reduced hearing.’
      • Middle Ear Problems …
        [And Hearing Loss]
        What it is, can it cause loss, what else can it affect, what can i do ?.
      • Otitis Externa
        What is it, what happens, how treated, how else can I help this, …
      • Tinnitus FAQs
        ‘General Questions About Tinnitus’.
        The site is still being upgraded. You need to go to this page and then check where they have now been put.
      • Tinnitus : What Is It ?
        ‘Tinnitus is a physical condition experienced as noises or ringing in the ears or head when no such external physical noise is present. Tinnitus is usually caused by a fault in the hearing system. It is a symptom, not a disease in itself.’
    • How do We Hear ?
      Information, including diagram which provides an overview of how we hear. Links to aspects of hearing loss.
    • Interactive Ear, The
      Interactive presentation of the hearing process.

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M - R

  1. Magazines & Journals
    Includes both online and print versions.
    • American Annals of the Deaf, The
      ‘The American Annals of the Deaf is a professional journal dedicated to quality in education and related services for deaf or hard of hearing children and adults. … the Annals is the oldest and most widely read English-language journal dealing with deafness and the education of deaf persons.’ Abstracts are provided.
    • Deaf Today
      ‘Bringing you the news daily from A to Z from around the world.’ Includes archives.
    • Hearing Health Magazine
      Access news, the current issue, an archive, even advice.
    • Odyssey
      ‘Odyssey, features articles about a wide range of issues important to the families of deaf and hard of hearing children and to those of us involved in deaf education.’ Multiple issues with articles available in .pdf format.
    • Sea Hear
      Produced by the BBC. Includes video, a message board and latest news as well as other information. There is also access to a print version.
  2. Parental Involvement, Information & Support
    Includes support for parents as well as providing them with information and assistance.
    • Building Blocks
      ‘Aussie Deaf Kids has created a kit for parents of newly diagnosed babies. It has been put together by parents of deaf and hearing impaired children. We want you to know that you are not alone. The kit contains a parent to parent guide, a guide for grandparents and a leaflet for friends. We have created one for boys and one for girls.’ All in .pdf format. You should also check their Parents are Important page, which includes links to a wealth of relevant information.
    • Hands & Voices
      ‘Hands & Voices is a [US], parent-driven national organization dedicated to supporting families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing. We are non-biased about communication methodologies and believe that families can make the best choices for their child if they have access to good information and support.’
    • KidsWorld Deaf Net
      ‘A national [US] communication network for parents and professionals involved in the education of deaf and hard of hearing children.’ Their Virtual Library and Discussion Forum would be of greatest impact in the Australian setting.
    • NSW Parenting
      While not specifically for parents of hearing impaired children, there are still many ideas and much information that will help all parents. ‘This site is an initiative of the NSW Government, developed by DoCS Centre for Parenting and Research.’
    • Raising Deaf Kids
      ‘A world of information about deafness and children with hearing loss. Here you’ll find lots of information on raising a deaf or hard-of-hearing child. Click on a link to find the information that fits your needs the best - “Can my baby hear ?”, “My baby has a hearing loss”, “My child has a hearing loss” and “My teen has a hearing loss”.’ Check other topics as well.
  3. Resources :
    • AudiologyNet
      ‘AudiologyNet is an audiology and hearing healthcare informational web site for a large population. It is dedicated to providing web site links in audiology for patients, family members, students, and healthcare providers. The information and web links listed at AudiologyNet are intended for informational purposes only and do not substitute for medical consultation with your personal physician or hearing healthcare provider.’
    • Australian Deaflinks
      ‘This page lists Australian links for the Deaf and hearing impaired community, and the people who support this community. This list indicates just how much information really is out there for Australia.’ Covers every area from government through education, legal matters, hearing aids, communities, audiology, standards and other services, plus more.
      Highly Recommended !
    • Deafness Resources Australia
      ‘DRA has one of the most comprehensive ranges of deafness and hearing impairment related books in Australia. It also has a very wide range of relevant technology, e.g. amplified listening systems, visual and vibrating alerts.’
    • Decibel [Loudness] Comparison Chart
      Comparative figures for a range of activities and sounds.
    • Telstra
      Provides directories of information on ways in which Telstra can help people with disabilities.
  4. Resources for Professionals :
    • Cued Speech Information
      Find what cued speech actually is, research on this, misconceptions about it, links to other resources, information and organisations, FAQs and how you can learn cued speech.
    • Strategies for Teaching …
      [Students With Hearing Impairments]
      Covers everything from general courtesy through general strategies, teacher presentations, laboratory work, group interaction, reading materials, excursions [field experiences], research and testing procedures. US based site, but procedures are still relevant.
    • Strategies for Working with Students …
      [Who are Deaf]
      From the Tasmanian Department of Education. For strategies to work with those with a Hearing Impairment, go to this site.
    • Teaching Students With Sensory Impairments
      [Strategies for Mainstream Teachers]
      ‘This project is the result of an international, collaborative effort among educators in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand, who work with students with vision or hearing impairments.’

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S - Z

  1. Sign Language :
    • Auslan Signbank
      ‘Signbank is an interactive dictionary of Auslan [Australian Sign Language]. Auslan is the language of the deaf community of Australia. Whoever you are; a deaf person, deaf student, sign language interpreter, student of Auslan, or a parent of a deaf child, we invite you all to explore our visual language.’
    • Auslan Sites
      Links to a number of Auslan sites.
    • Auslan Tuition System, The
      ‘Unfortunately, the development of the full version has been suspended indefinitely. However, the Free trial version will continue to be available for download. This system provides an easy-to-use and interactive tutorial for learning the basics in communicating in the Australian Sign Language.’
    • SignPlanet
      ‘This is the place to find, learn, play and print sign language images and activities. It features a fully searchable dictionary and resource database, as well as online worksheet creators, ready-made resources and class plans’. This is Fee-based .
    • Sign Swap
    • Other Languages Page
      Further Sign Language links.
  2. Technology, Hearing
    Includes areas such as Hearing Aids, Cochlear Implants and other specialised equipment.
    • Cochlear Implants :
      • Cochlear Implants [1]
        ‘This Information Sheet is one of a series on resources for deaf/hearing impaired students.’ From Education Queensland.
      • Cochlear Implants [2]
        Includes general information, children and cochlear implants, position statements regarding cochlear implants and what users have to say about them. Multiple links are provided to information on each of these topics.
      • Cochlear Implant Surgery
        Information from ‘About’ with links to further information about cochlear implants and other aspects of hearing impairment.
      • Sydney Cochlear Implant Centre, The
        Find specific information about cochlear implants, suitability, resources and recipient stories, as well as information for professionals including research information.
      • What is a Cochlear Implant ?
        ‘A website for teenagers.’ UK based and covering all aspects from who wears a cochlear implant through ho they work, having one, living with one, news and views and further links.
    • Hearing Aids :
      • Hearing Aids
        Information from ‘About’ with 30+ links to further information about everything from batteries to basics, ear moulds to accessories, as well as a range of articles and other information.
      • Hearing Aids 101
        ‘Welcome to Hearing Aids 101, an independent website designed to help consumers learn about the wide variety of hearing aids and related products on the market today. Hearing Aids 101 provides an abundance of information about the latest innovations in hearing aids technology, as well as tips for shopping for hearing and assistive learning devices.’ A Canadian based site, but the information is still applicable.
      • National Hearing Care
        ‘Hearing aids are complicated technical instruments that are tailored to the individual client’s needs. There are many different types and styles of hearing aids available today due to rapid advances in technology. The following section summarises the main aspects of the various styles in hearing aids.’
    • General Sites & Portals
      Includes general information, as well as links to other specific technology.
      • Closed Captioning FAQ
        Questions covering everything from an overview through to ‘technical stuff’.
      • HealthyHearing
        ‘Helpful Information on Hearing Loss, Hearing Aids, Cochlear Implants, Tinnitus and more … Dedicated to bringing [ ] news, information and consumer education.’
      • Technology Access Program
        ‘The Technology Access Program is a research group focusing on technologies and services that eliminate communication barriers traditionally faced by people who are deaf and hard of hearing. These links lead to papers, references, tutorials, presentation slides, conference proceedings and other information.’ Covers multiple areas.

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