Communication Strategies for Students of All Ages
The start of a new school year brings fresh opportunities for growth and success. Whether in grade school, college, vocational training, or adult education, students are preparing for new classes, routines, and learning goals in remote, in-person, and hybrid environments.
Hearing loss can present significant challenges, making it harder to follow lessons, engage in group discussions, or focus on lectures. However, with the right healthy-hearing strategies and support, learners of all ages can excel.
Check out these 10 tips for conquering obstacles and thriving throughout the school year.
- Maximize Visual Access to Speech
One of the most effective strategies for improving speech understanding is ensuring clear visual access to the speaker’s face. This is especially important for people who rely on lipreading or visual speech cues to supplement what they hear. For in-person learning, sitting near the front allows better visibility of the instructor’s face and expressions.
During virtual sessions, having the instructor keep their camera on, the room well-lit, and their face unobstructed by hands/microphones eases lipreading and observance of facial cues. Enlarging the video image or setting the speaker’s feed to stay front and center on your screen (pinning it) can also help. These adjustments may help reduce the effort needed to understand what’s being said.
- Manage and Minimize Background Noise
Noise is one of the most common challenges in both physical and virtual learning environments, interfering with the ability to hear clearly and focus. In classrooms, the source may include hallway traffic, HVAC systems, outdoor activity, or background chatter. In home-learning spaces, distractions might come from household appliances, loved ones going about their day, or neighborhood sounds.
Strategies to reduce noise include selecting a quiet study area, using rugs or curtains to dampen sound, and closing doors and windows when possible. For in-person classrooms, students with hearing loss may benefit from seating away from noise sources. Teachers can support by using microphones or sound-field amplification systems, which can help the entire class.
In virtual environments, noise-canceling headphones or earbuds can help minimize environmental distractions. Virtual participants can also mute their microphones when not speaking to reduce group audio interference in online sessions.
- Activate Captions and Transcripts
Captions and real-time transcription are invaluable tools that support comprehension by displaying spoken words in text format. They’re particularly helpful during fast-paced lectures, group discussions, or unfamiliar vocabulary or accents. Some video platforms, including Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet, offer built-in captioning.
In recorded lessons or videos, activate the subtitles or closed captions when possible. If they’re unavailable, browser extensions such as the subtitle service Substital can potentially help, depending on the platform. For live conversations or lectures, free apps like Google’s Live Transcribe (for Android™) provide real-time speech-to-text transcription using the device’s microphone.
Tools like Otter.ai can also transcribe conversations, automate summaries, and even generate action items, though some features may require a premium subscription. Reviewing transcripts after class can reinforce learning, aid note-taking, and benefit all students, not just those with hearing challenges.
- Use Assistive Listening Devices
Hearing aids and cochlear implants (CIs) are powerful tools, but classroom noise or distance from the speaker can still pose challenges. That’s where assistive listening devices (ALDs) come in — they work with hearing technology to send the speaker’s voice directly to the student’s ears, helping improve clarity in busy learning environments.
Common ALDs include FM systems and remote microphones. A teacher might wear a microphone that streams audio to the student’s device or receiver. Loop systems in some classrooms let compatible hearing aids with a T-coil feature connect directly. The school can identify what infrastructure they provide and help you or the students in your household leverage these helpful resources.
- Stream Audio Directly to Hearing Aids
Many modern hearing aids and CIs come equipped with Bluetooth® or wireless streaming technology. This lets you connect your hearing technology directly to devices such as tablets or smartphones. Streaming audio allows for clearer sound during video calls, online lessons, educational apps, or instructional videos.
Auracast™ broadcast audio, the next evolution of Bluetooth streaming, is set to unlock even greater connectivity. Though not yet widely adopted, it’s expected to expand over the next few years to more broadly include TVs, smartphones, hearing aids, public-address systems, and more. As it becomes more mainstream — potentially even used by education institutions — it may redefine what everyday accessible audio means.
Students who are unsure whether their hearing devices support streaming should, along with their family, consult with their hearing care provider. They can help configure connections and recommend accessories that improve connectivity and audio performance.
- Leverage Built-In Accessibility Tools
Most operating systems and educational platforms may now include built-in accessibility features that support students with hearing loss. These tools range from system-wide captions and sound alerts to screen readers and customizable audio settings.
For example, students can potentially enable visual notifications on their tablets in place of sound alerts, adjust balance between audio channels, or increase speech clarity through dialogue-isolation settings. Teachers and school IT departments should ensure that these settings, if available, are enabled and configured on school-issued devices.
It’s also important to advocate for inclusive teaching practices. Instructors can help by repeating key points, facing the class while speaking, avoiding talking while writing on the board, and using multiple communication modalities such as visual aids and written summaries.
- Maximize Chat and Messaging Features
In online and hybrid classes, text-based tools such as chat boxes, messaging platforms, and discussion boards may offer additional ways to participate and clarify understanding — if the options are allowed. Students could use the chat to ask for clarification without interrupting the flow of the lesson. Instructors can also use it to summarize key points for students to review later.
Some platforms allow for private messages between students and instructors, which can be helpful for real-time support. Peer communication and group collaboration can also be facilitated through messaging, making it easier for students with hearing loss to stay engaged with their academic community.
- Plan for Accommodations and Support Services
It’s essential for students and families to be proactive about requesting accommodations. Schools, colleges, and universities are generally required to provide reasonable support for learners with documented hearing conditions or other challenges. These accommodations might include note-taking assistance, captioned media, beneficial seating, or the use of assistive technologies — depending on the individual’s needs and the learning environment.
Connecting with a services coordinator, academic advisor, or school hearing care professional early in the term can help create a personalized plan. Whether in primary school, secondary school, or postsecondary education, students should feel encouraged to advocate for themselves by communicating openly with instructors and support staff.
- Schedule Regular Hearing Checkups
Back-to-school season is a good opportunity to book a professional hearing evaluation or hearing aid maintenance. Hearing can change over time. Ensuring devices are working correctly and optimally before classes start helps avoid disruptions during the school year. Even students who’ve used hearing aids or CIs for years benefit from regular device checks, software updates, and fine-tuning.
Younger children should have their hearing screened as part of routine wellness care, particularly if they’re entering a new grade or have had frequent ear infections. Teens and adults also benefit from periodic assessments, especially if they report increased listening effort, fatigue, or communication difficulties.
- Understand the Signs of Hearing Loss
Hearing loss can be subtle and develop gradually, often going unnoticed. Difficulty understanding speech, especially in noisy settings, or needing things repeated frequently might suggest hearing issues. Frequently turning the volume up on devices, having a tough time concentrating in class, or experiencing ringing in the ears (tinnitus) might also point to potential hearing problems.
Both children and adults benefit from being aware of these signs, which can affect communication, health, academic performance, and overall quality of life. If you or a loved one experiences any of these, don’t delay scheduling a hearing evaluation. Early detection allows for timely intervention, improving learning, connection, and well-being.
By taking proactive steps and collaborating with educators, hearing care professionals, and their families, students can start the academic year empowered and strong. Don’t wait. Book your back-to-school hearing evaluations for the whole family today!
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