Children With Cochlear Implants in the Classroom
There is a classroom for the deaf and hard of hearing at Cook Elementary in the
Winston-Salem/Forsyth County school system. The teacher, Ms. Asbury is a graduate of a
special program for the education of the deaf and hard of hearing at the University of N.C.
at Greensboro. Ms. Asbury has two students with cochlear implants in her class, one is a
bilateral, meaning there is an implant for each ear. She uses a FM transmitter and the My
Link system to help these students hear. The FM transmitter is a device she wears around
her neck; it is set to her channel. The My Link device is a receiver that the children with
the cochlear implants wear around their neck. The My Link and transmitter are “sinked”
together so that the teachers voice is heard above any other environmental noise and is
transmitted directly to their implant.
Ms. Asbury also has what is called a “totable”. It is basically a speaker that can be set
at different volume levels and can be placed where needed in the classroom. She wears
another microphone that picks up her voice and sends it to the “totable”.
Winston-Salem/Forsyth County school system. The teacher, Ms. Asbury is a graduate of a
special program for the education of the deaf and hard of hearing at the University of N.C.
at Greensboro. Ms. Asbury has two students with cochlear implants in her class, one is a
bilateral, meaning there is an implant for each ear. She uses a FM transmitter and the My
Link system to help these students hear. The FM transmitter is a device she wears around
her neck; it is set to her channel. The My Link device is a receiver that the children with
the cochlear implants wear around their neck. The My Link and transmitter are “sinked”
together so that the teachers voice is heard above any other environmental noise and is
transmitted directly to their implant.
Ms. Asbury also has what is called a “totable”. It is basically a speaker that can be set
at different volume levels and can be placed where needed in the classroom. She wears
another microphone that picks up her voice and sends it to the “totable”.
Devices Used With Cochlear Implants
My Link is a receiver that is worn by the child with the cochlear implant. The device is
linked with the teacher’s transmitter so that the teacher’s voice is directly streamed to the
implant. The teacher will have to watch for changes in the student’s hearing, since the
sound is directly input to their
device.
linked with the teacher’s transmitter so that the teacher’s voice is directly streamed to the
implant. The teacher will have to watch for changes in the student’s hearing, since the
sound is directly input to their
device.
There is a portable speaker called a “totable “or sometimes a “portable” used to
project the teacher’s voice where needed inside the classroom. The Teacher has to wear a
microphone that is just clipped to clothing. This device helps students with cochlear
implants as well as students with other hearing impairments.
project the teacher’s voice where needed inside the classroom. The Teacher has to wear a
microphone that is just clipped to clothing. This device helps students with cochlear
implants as well as students with other hearing impairments.
The difference between the sound field system and the FM system is the sound field
system signal is broadcast through speakers anyone can hear. The speakers can be placed
around the room, like a theatre sound system, and if needed a speaker could be placed on
a student’s desk.
One advantage to this system is the teacher will always be able to monitor the quality
of sound being projected, because she will be able to hear it.
system signal is broadcast through speakers anyone can hear. The speakers can be placed
around the room, like a theatre sound system, and if needed a speaker could be placed on
a student’s desk.
One advantage to this system is the teacher will always be able to monitor the quality
of sound being projected, because she will be able to hear it.
Interview With Audiology Specialist for Winston-Salem/ Forsyth County Schools
Donna Pocklington , a specialist with audiology technology, works at Kennedy Learning
center in the Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools system. Ms. Pocklington says there
are some teachers within the county who have a specialized degree for working with the
deaf and hard of hearing, but most students with cochlear implants are in regular
education classrooms. She also said most use speech exclusively for communication, not
sign language. Ms. Pocklington also says students in high school and middle school who
received their implant at a very young age speak so normally that the fact they were born
deaf would not be recognizable. There are signing programs available for students too at
Moore Elementary, Wiley Middle, and Reynolds High School.
center in the Winston-Salem Forsyth County Schools system. Ms. Pocklington says there
are some teachers within the county who have a specialized degree for working with the
deaf and hard of hearing, but most students with cochlear implants are in regular
education classrooms. She also said most use speech exclusively for communication, not
sign language. Ms. Pocklington also says students in high school and middle school who
received their implant at a very young age speak so normally that the fact they were born
deaf would not be recognizable. There are signing programs available for students too at
Moore Elementary, Wiley Middle, and Reynolds High School.