Teachers know kids will hear them now
By Mike Lundstrom, Unknown Eastern Washington Publication, (mid 1990’s)
North and East Omak elementary school teachers can talk to their students and be heard, even if the teacher’s back is to the class, with a new public address system.
"I can hear a lot better, but sometimes it hurts my ears," said second-grader Carl Herriman.
Omak elementary schools installed public address systems in all classrooms this year to address the rising problem of students with hearing difficulties.
The PA systems are working well except when teachers, such as Carl’s teacher, Diane Skaley, forget they are wearing a microphone and raise their voices. That’s when the PA hurts Carl’s ears.
North Omak Elementary principal Mike Wyant says 30 percent of students suffer from long- or short-term hearing loss. Most stems from allergies or illnesses such as ear infections.
A lot of students suffer from permanent hearing disorders. Wyant said that 72 percent of students with learning deficiencies also failed a hearing test.
Other research shows the Eustachian tubes in the ears of native Americans are slanted differently than those of Americans of European descent, and native American children have a higher tendency toward hearing loss.
School administrators were convinced of the need and after testing the PA units in the classrooms of Gail Langseth at North elementary and Lance Hope at East elementary, decided to install them in all of the classrooms. A non-voted bond issue was used to acquire the $700 units.
The bonds will be paid back through contributions from civic groups – including $1,500 from Omak Kiwanis Club – along with funds raised from magazine sales, an aluminum recycling project, a penny drive, last March’s school carnival at North Elementary and a jogathon at East elementary.
. . . Kids can hear teachers
"I LIKE IT BECAUSE YOU CAN TALK ON IT," said Semone Reuben, whose teacher (Skaley) lets students use the microphone sometimes.
Skaley said she had some problems getting used to the PA system and occasionally would speak too loudly at first. Now she’s used to it and receives no more complaints from Carl or Jamie Michel, who had an ear infection when she began using the unit.
A tiny microphone the size of a peanut is worn by the teacher. A wire runs to a small transmitter worn in a pocket or clipped to a belt. A receiver with an antenna is in another part of the classroom and that is wired to a four-way speaker enclosure placed in the classroom ceiling.
The PA system allows students sitting at the back of the classroom to hear as well as those in the front.
Teachers say they find using the system less tiring because they can speak normally instead of constantly trying to project their voices.
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