Make Learning Easier

By Janeil Stone, Tribune, Deer Park, WA.

Hearing impaired students how have the ability to hear their teachers better at Deer Park Elementary and Arcadia.

Each classroom is now equipped with a classroom amplification system that allows the teacher to be heard loud and clear. The systems are designed to distribute sound equally to all areas of the room through overhead speakers.

The systems consist of five speakers mounted in the center of the ceiling, a transmitter and a pack work around the teacher’s waist connected to a cordless mic worn on the collar.

The idea of the systems was spearheaded by the Deer Park Rotary Club, which got the suggestion from audiologist Jo Bowlin-Johnson.

Approximately 30 percent of all students suffer from hearing loss due to such things as ear infections and more severe permanent losses. The amplification systems used in the classrooms will help compensate for those students whose ability to hear is affected.

The systems were liked so well that the Elementary used its technology money provided by the state to install them in every classroom and the Arcadia is planning on purchasing another. Also Rotary provided the money for one system in the Elementary School.

The initial reason for the systems was to help the learning and hearing impaired but teachers claim that they do much more.

"It helps all of the students," said Philips. "They seem to respond better."

Judy Blair’s classroom is located between a hallway and another classroom and is often disturbed by outside noise. "The system negates peripheral noise," she said.

"It helps the students with their oral reading. I give them the mic and they are able to hear themselves read," Capp said.

Otteson said that students are used to the system and it seems to somewhat hold their attention. It also helps her physically. "I find that my voice feels less strained at the end of the day," she said.

Each teacher has their own opinion about the new addition to their classroom. "I love it," Phillips said.

"They have their place and seem to centralize sound. They are an unsuitable fashion accessory for the teachers but they help those students that have a hard time focusing." Otteson said.

Though most results have been positive, there are a few negatives to the systems.

"The students seem to become dependent upon it," said Philips. "They don’t respond to it as much as when we first got the system. I find myself having to turn the sound up due to the kids becoming used to it."

"I find it a hassle to recharge the batter all the time." Capp said.

Forgetting to turn the microphone off has been a problem.

"It is a problem when you forget abut them when you go to the bathrooms," said Palanio. "Also when you sneeze you really get the kids full attention."

"You have to remember to turn it off if you want to talk in private. You can talk with it from anywhere in the building so you have to turn it off when you leave the classroom," said Otteson.

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