Listening Technologies for Individuals and the Classroom

Abstract

Assistive technology has always been an important component of individualized education programs. The individualized education program process can be used to supply hearing assistive technology to students. One goal of audiologists and educators is to improve the acoustic environment of classrooms for all students by constructing school buildings with better classroom acoustics and by using classroom amplification systems. This article reviews how technology is acquired for individual students, lists problems that impede acquiring appropriate technology, describes the use of classroom amplification for all students, and recommends ways to increase the probability that appropriate listening technology is available for individual students and classrooms.