Virtual Assessment of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students in the Schools.

The COVID-19 pandemic placed stress on all aspects of the educational system. Many state departments of education acknowledged the disruption to individualized education program evaluation and implementation but insisted that evaluation timelines and services continue undisrupted. School psychologists were therefore forced to navigate the viability of virtual assessment without established research supporting this type of student evaluation. Formal assessments used in the identification of learning disabilities and other areas of disability were not standardized with virtual administration procedures; however, many test publishers have offered guidelines for online administration. These guidelines may not be suitable for test administration with deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) children. Through the presentation of two case studies, this article explores some of the available administration guidelines and evaluates their appropriateness for use with DHH children. Information in this article informs current practice of school psychology in a virtual environment.

Transitioning Speech-Language Assessment to a Virtual Environment: Lessons Learned From the ELLA Study.

Purpose The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated a quick shift to virtual speech-language services; however, only a small percentage of speech-language pathologists (SLPs) had previously engaged in telepractice. The purpose of this clinical tutorial is (a) to describe how the Early Language and Literacy Acquisition in Children with Hearing Loss study, a longitudinal study involving speech-language assessment with children with and without hearing loss, transitioned from in-person to virtual assessment and (b) to provide tips for optimizing virtual assessment procedures. Method We provide an overview of our decision making during the transition to virtual assessment. Additionally, we report on a pilot study that calculated test-retest reliability from in-person to virtual assessment for a subset of our preschool-age participants. Results Our pilot study revealed that most speech-language measures had high or adequate test-retest reliability when administered in a virtual environment. When low reliability occurred, generally the measures were timed. Conclusions Speech-language assessment can be conducted successfully in a virtual environment for preschool children with hearing loss. We provide suggestions for clinicians to consider when preparing for virtual assessment sessions. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.14787834.

Representações sociais do cuidado à saúde de pessoas surdas por profissionais de saúde / Social representation of health care for deaf people by health professionals

Profissionais de saúde pouco conhecem sobre a comunidade surda e suas necessidades de saúde. Crenças baseadas em senso comum podem influenciar nas concepções sobre este grupo, com consequências no processo de cuidar. Nesse sentido, conhecer as representações sociais dos profissionais de saúde sobre o cuidado às pessoas surdas e as potenciais repercussões no cuidado à saúde pode contribuir com novos atos de cuidar, implementação de políticas públicas de inclusão social e de formação no campo da saúde. Para isso, foi desenvolvida uma pesquisa de caráter qualitativo, com aplicação da Teoria das Representações Sociais em sua abordagem processual. Realizou-se entrevista em profundidade com 37 profissionais de saúde de um hospital em Rondônia, dentre eles enfermeiros, médicos, fisioterapeutas e técnicos de enfermagem. Os dados oriundos da entrevista em profundidade foram analisados por meio do Alceste 2012 e os provenientes do instrumento de caracterização dos participantes foram submetidos à análise estatística. No material não aproveitado pela análise lexical realizada pelo Alceste aplicou-se análise de conteúdo temático-categorial. Como resultados, após a rodagem no software, o corpus dividiu-se em três classes. O Bloco 1 abrangeu a Classe 1 a qual resultou no tema "Cuidado ao surdo no serviço de saúde: um clamor silenciado", que apresenta representações sociais do cuidado à saúde da pessoa surda, sua dimensão simbólica, associada a interdição da comunicação, afetiva, demonstrando sofrimento, angústia e receio em atender usuários surdos, comportamental, ao se afastarem, evitarem atender ou dedicando mais tempo e atenção durante o cuidado e atitudinal, em que os profissionais se utilizavam de seu arsenal de estratégias na tentativa de estabelecer comunicação durante o atendimento, seja por meio de leitura labial, acompanhante, português escrito, gestos, dentre outros. O Bloco 2 resultou no tema "Demandas dos profissionais de saúde sobre o cuidado ao surdo" e abrangeu a Classe 2 ­ "O cuidado de agora: o que os profissionais demandam" em que se apontou as necessidades dos profissionais para atendimento aos surdos situados temporalmente no presente e a Classe 3 ­ "O cuidado do futuro: o que a formação necessita", situada no futuro, no que pode ser feito durante a formação do cidadão e do profissional de saúde para melhoria da inclusão social de pessoas surdas na sociedade. A partir dos resultados encontrados e da discussão com a literatura, elaborou-se propostas de intervenção para qualificação do cuidado à saúde de pessoas surdas com vistas à acessibilidade nos serviços de saúde, para disciplina de Libras para graduações em saúde e para educação permanente de profissionais de saúde. Conclui-se que a representação do cuidado à saúde do surdo centraliza-se na dificuldade comunicacional entre profissional de saúde e pessoa surda. A abordagem da temática na graduação e em educação permanente são fundamentais para mudança dessa realidade, assim como garantir acessibilidade nas unidades de saúde.

Health professionals understand very little about the deaf community and their health needs. Many beliefs based on common sense can influence the conceptions about this group, with consequences in the care process. In this sense, knowing the social representations of health professionals about the care for deaf people and its potential repercussions on health care can contribute to new acts of care, as well as implementation of public policies for social inclusion and training in the health field. In order to understand this gap, a qualitative research was developed, with application of the Theory of Social Representations in its procedural approach. In-depth interviews were carried out with 37 health professionals from a hospital in Rondônia State, amongt which there were nurses, doctors, physical therapists, and nursing technicians. The data from this in-depth interview were analyzed using Alceste 2012 and the characterization instrument of the participants was submitted to statistical analysis. Thematic content analysis was applied to the material that was not used by the lexical analysis performed by Alceste. As results, after running the software, the corpus was divided into three classes. Class 1 resulted in the theme "Care for the deaf in the health service: a silenced clamor", which presents the social representations of health care for the deaf person, its symbolic dimension, associated with the interdiction of communication, affective, showing suffering, anguish and fear in attending deaf users, as well as behavioral, by moving away, avoiding attending or devoting more time and attention during care and lastly attitudinal, in which professionals used their arsenal of strategies in an attempt to establish communication during care, either through lip reading, companion, written Portuguese, gestures, among other strategies. Block 2 resulted in the theme "Demands of health professionals on deaf care" and included the Class 2 - "The care of now: what professionals demand" in which the needs of professionals for care to the deaf were pointed out, situated temporally in the present and Class 3 - "The care of the future: what training needs", situated in the future, in what can be done during the training of citizens and health professionals to improve the social inclusion of deaf people in society. From the results found and the discussion with the literature, we developed intervention proposals for qualification of health care for deaf people with a view to accessibility in health services, for offering the course of Libras for graduates in health and continuing education for health professionals. It is concluded that the representation of health care for deaf people is centered on the difficulty of communication between health professionals and deaf people. The approach of the theme in undergraduate and continuing education is essential to change this reality, as well as to ensure accessibility in health units.

Los profesionales de la salud conocen poco sobre la comunidad sorda, sus necesidades de salud. Las creencias basadas en el sentido común pueden influir en las concepciones sobre este grupo, con consecuencias en el proceso de cuidado. En este sentido, conocer las representaciones sociales de los profesionales de la salud sobre el cuidado de las personas sordas y las posibles repercusiones en el cuidado de la salud puede, contribuir con nuevos actos de cuidado, implementación de políticas públicas de inclusión social y de formación en el campo de la salud. Para ello, se desarrolló una investigación de carácter cualitativo, con aplicación de la Teoría de las Representaciones Sociales en su enfoque procesal. Se realizó una entrevista en profundidad con 37 profesionales de la salud de un hospital del Estado de Rondônia, Brasil, entre ellos enfermeros, médicos, fisioterapeutas y técnicos de enfermería. Los datos provenientes de la entrevista en profundidad fueron analizados por medio del Alceste 2012 y los procedentes del instrumento de caracterización de los participantes fueron sometidos al análisis estadístico. En el material no aprovechado por el análisis léxico realizado por Alceste se aplicó el análisis contenido temático. Como resultados, después del rodaje en el software, el corpus se dividió en tres clases. La Clase 1 resultó en el tema "Cuidado al sordo en el servicio de salud: un clamor silenciado", que muestra representaciones sociales del cuidado de la salud de la persona sorda, su dimensión simbólica, asociada a la interdicción de la comunicación; afectiva, manifestando sufrimiento, angustia y temor de atender a los usuarios sordos, conductuales, al apartarse, evitar atender o dedicar más tiempo y atención durante el cuidado y actitudinal, en que los profesionales se utilizaban de su arsenal de estrategias en el intento de establecer comunicación durante el atendimiento, sea por medio de lectura labial, acompañante, portugués escrito, gestos, entre otros. El bloque 2 resultó en el tema "Demandas de los profesionales de salud sobre el cuidado al sordo" y abarcó la Clase 2 - "El cuidado de ahora: lo que los profesionales demandan" en donde fueron señaladas las necesidades de los profesionales para atender a los sordos situados temporalmente en el presente y la Clase 3 - "El cuidado del futuro: lo que la formación necesita", situada en el futuro, en lo que se puede hacer durante la formación del ciudadano y del profesional de la salud para mejorar la inclusión social de personas sordas en la sociedad. A partir de los resultados encontrados y de la discusión con la literatura, se elaboraron propuestas de intervención para la calificación del cuidado de la salud de personas sordas con énfasis a la accesibilidad en los servicios de salud, para la asignatura de Libras (Lengua de Señas Brasileña) para carreras del área de la salud y para la educación permanente de profesionales de la salud. Se concluye que la representación del cuidado a la salud del sordo se centra en la dificultad comunicacional entre profesional de salud y persona sorda. El enfoque de la temática en la carrera y en educación permanente son fundamentales para cambiar esa realidad, así como garantizar accesibilidad en las unidades de salud.

Health-Related Quality of Life in Children With Low Language or Congenital Hearing Loss, as Measured by the PedsQL and Health Utility Index Mark 3.

OBJECTIVES: To examine health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in young children with low language or congenital hearing loss and to explore the value of assessing HRQoL by concurrently administering 2 HRQoL instruments in populations of children. METHODS: Data were from 2 Australian community-based studies: Language for Learning (children with typical and low language at age 4 years, n = 1012) and the Statewide Comparison of Outcomes study (children with hearing loss, n = 108). HRQoL was measured using the parent-reported Health Utilities Index Mark 3 (HUI3) and the Pediatrics Quality of Life Inventory 4.0 (PedsQL) generic core scale. Agreement between the HRQoL instruments was assessed using intraclass correlation and Bland-Altman plots. RESULTS: Children with low language and with hearing loss had lower HRQoL than children with normal language; the worst HRQoL was experienced by children with both. The lower HRQoL was mainly due to impaired school functioning (PedsQL) and speech and cognition (HUI3). Children with hearing loss also had impaired physical and social functioning (PedsQL), vision, hearing, dexterity, and ambulation (HUI3). Correlations between instruments were poor to moderate, with low agreement. CONCLUSIONS: Children with low language and congenital hearing loss might benefit from interventions targeting overall health and well-being, not just their impairments. The HUI3 and PedsQL each seemed to provide unique information and thus may supplement each other in assessing HRQoL of young children, including those with low language or congenital hearing loss.

Promoción del lavado de manos en la población con manos en la población con discapacidad auditiva / Promoting handwashing among people with hearing impairment

Introducción: las campañas de promoción y prevención del lavado de manos son estrategias económicas y de alto impacto según la OMS/OPS. Las personas con discapacidad auditiva presentan dificultades para acceder a estas. Objetivo: realizar una reflexión sobre la promoción del lavado de manos en población con discapacidad auditiva mediante la virtualidad. Desarrollo: la experiencia con la aplicación de un OVA en estudiantes con discapacidad auditiva permite comprender que diseñar y aplicar herramientas a partir de las TICs para transmitir educación en salud a la población con discapacidad auditiva, requiere recursos tecnológicos, humanos y financieros que pueden ser financiados por entes gubernamentales y asociaciones que apoyen esta población. Conclusiones: los profesionales del área de la salud deben diseñar programas de promoción y prevención virtual para comunidades con discapacidades o diferentes vulnerabilidades para generar un aporte desde la salud.

ntroduction: According to the WHO/PHO handwashing promotion campaigns are high-impact economic strategies. People with hearing disability have difficulties for accessing these campaigns. Objective: to conduct a discussion exercise on promoting handwashing among people with hearing disability by means of a virtual campaign. Development: the experience applying VLA (virtual learning objects) in students with hearing disability allows understanding that designing and applying information and communication technology (ICT) tools to transmit heath education to people with hearing challenges, requires technological, human and financial resources which may be provided by the state and organizations supporting this population. Conclusions: healthcare professionals must design virtual promotion and prevention programs targeted at communities with disabilities and various vulnerabilities, as a contribution from the health sector.

Parent-perceived challenges related to the pediatric cochlear implantation process and support services received in South Africa.

OBJECTIVE: To determine and describe parent-perceived challenges related to the pediatric cochlear implantation process and support services received. METHOD: A multicenter survey study across six cochlear implant (CI) programs in South Africa (SA) was conducted. The study sample included 82 parents of pediatric (≤18 years) CI recipients with at least 12 months CI experience. A self-administered questionnaire was developed for the purpose of this study, exploring parental challenges regarding the CI process, education of their implanted children and the support services received. RESULTS: The financial implications of cochlear implantation, including CI device maintenance, were identified by parents as the most prominent challenge. Financing issues were the highest scoring reason that attributed to the delay between diagnosis of hearing loss and cochlear implantation, as well as the greatest barrier to bilateral implantation. Parent-perceived educational challenges included finding adequate educational settings specific to the individual needs of their child and a shortage of trained teachers equipped to support children with CIs. The presence of one/more additional developmental conditions and grade repetition were associated with more pronounced parent-perceived educational challenges. Parents considered speech-language therapy as the most critical support service for their implanted children to achieve optimal outcomes, while parent guidance was indicated to be the most critical support service required for parents of pediatric CI recipients. CONCLUSION: A greater understanding of parent-perceived challenges will guide CI professionals to promote optimal outcomes, evidence-based service delivery and on-going support to pediatric CI recipients and their families. Study results imply a call for action regarding financial and educational support for pediatric CI recipients in SA.

A Qualitative Exploration of the Role and Needs of Classroom Teachers in Supporting the Mental Health and Well-Being of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Children.

Purpose Children who are deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) face a wide array of issues that can impact their mental health and well-being. This study aimed to explore the role of schools and classroom teachers in supporting the mental health and well-being of DHH children. Method A qualitative study comprising telephone and semistructured interviews with 12 mainstream school classroom teachers who directly support the education and well-being of DHH children was conducted. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. Result Classroom teachers indicated they play an important role in supporting the mental health and well-being of DHH children but identified a range of constraints to providing this support. Four themes were identified: (a) "culture of professional practice," (b) "operationalized practice," (c) "constraints to practice," and (d) "solutions for constraints." Conclusions Classroom teachers play an important role in supporting the mental health and well-being of DHH children but face several constraints in their practice, including limited training and awareness and access to resources. While further research is needed, this study suggests that classroom resources and teacher professional development are needed to enhance classroom teachers' understanding of how to support the mental health and well-being of DHH children.

Facing and Overcoming Academic Challenges: Perspectives From Deaf Latino/a First-Generation College Students.

The author examined the experiences of first-generation Latino/a college students who graduated from college and those who did not graduate. It was found that the first-generation deaf Latino/a college graduates in the study had similar experiences growing up, attending high school, and attending college to those of first-generation hearing Latino/a college students. These experiences related to parents' education levels, the linguistic environment at home, parent-school interactions, preparation for college, and stress related to minority status. Data from the participants' interviews revealed other variables that possibly contributed to their academic success in college. These variables included having the expectation that they would pursue higher education; establishing goals; taking advantage of support services; and possessing the personal characteristics of assertiveness and independence. The author also describes how the study participants faced and overcame the academic challenges common to first-generation Latino/a college students.

Creation and validation of an educational video for deaf people about cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

OBJECTIVE: to create and validate an educational video for teaching deaf students about cardiopulmonary resuscitation. METHOD: methodological study consisting in the creation of an educational video, validation of its content by 22 nurses with expertise in cardiorespiratory arrest, and evaluation by 16 deaf students. For data collection, the following validated instruments were used: the Instrument for Validation of Educational Content used for the validation by nurses and the Assistive Technology Assessment Questionnaire for the evaluation by deaf students. The criterion for validation was concordance higher than 80%, analyzed through the content validation index and binomial test. RESULTS: the final version of the video lasted seven minutes and thirty seconds, covered the steps that should be performed by a lay person to help a victim of cardiorespiratory arrest, presented animations and the narration in the Brazilian sign language. All the items obtained agreement among nurses and of among deaf students equal or superior to 80%. CONCLUSION: the video was considered to present valid content by the judges and comprehensible content by deaf students. Thus the video represents an inclusive technology for health education of deaf people about cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Usability of American Sign Language Videos for Presenting Mathematics Assessment Content.

There is considerable interest in determining whether high-quality American Sign Language videos can be used as an accommodation in tests of mathematics at both K-12 and postsecondary levels; and in learning more about the usability (e.g., comprehensibility) of ASL videos with two different types of signers - avatar (animated figure) and human. The researchers describe the results of administering each of nine pre-college mathematics items in both avatar and human versions to each of 31 Deaf participants with high school and post-high school backgrounds. This study differed from earlier studies by obliging the participants to rely on the ASL videos to answer the items. While participants preferred the human version over the avatar version (apparently due largely to the better expressiveness and fluency of the human), there was no discernible relationship between mathematics performance and signed version.

My experience in an oral and maxillofacial post as a profoundly deaf dental core trainee.

This article reviews my experience as a profoundly deaf dental core trainee (DCT) in oral and maxillofacial surgery at Wythenshawe Hospital - working on call, carrying out daily clinics and assisting in theatre. A novel set of challenges presented, such as understanding conversations on the phone and minimising interference from background noise. Support was sought from Occupational Health, Access to Work and FM Hearing Systems, who provided practical advice and technological solutions. This year has improved my confidence and who I am as a person, and as a dentist. Plus, due to my newfound technical support I am able to hear a lot better on the phone now. It is hoped this article this will provide a useful insight for employers on how to support employees with hearing difficulties, and inspire future candidates.

Assessment and d/Deaf and Hard of Hearing Multilingual Learners: Considerations and Promising Practices.

The authors address considerations and promising practices relating to assessment of d/Deaf and Hard of Hearing Multilingual Learners. DMLs' unique culture(s), language(s), and learning needs must be considered when assessments of this population are being planned, conducted, and interpreted. The authors address theory and research on (a) general considerations for the overarching assessment process, (b) specific assessment approaches used to assess DMLs, and (c) assessment of language proficiency for diverse language learners. In addition, basic recommendations for the assessment of DMLs are made, including increased availability of assessments in various languages, use of multiple sources of individual and family data, assessment of all languages, and incorporation of a strong assessment component (that includes nondiscrimination practices) into teacher preparation programs.

Increasing Self-Regulation and Classroom Participation of a Child Who Is Deafblind.

Self-regulation has been identified as essential to school success. However, for a variety of reasons, its development may be compromised in children and youth who are deafblind. A single-case multiple-baseline study of a child who was deafblind examined the effects of three groups of evidence-based interventions on variables thought to be associated with self-regulation. The dependent variables were (a) frequency and duration of behaviors thought to indicate dysregulation, (b) active participation in school activities, and (c) time from onset of behaviors indicating dysregulation until achievement of a calm, regulated state. The interventions, which included provision of meaningful, enjoyable, and interactive activities, anticipatory strategies, and calming strategies, significantly influenced the dependent variables and are described in detail.

Educational, employment, and social participation of young adult graduates from the paediatric Southern Cochlear Implant Programme, New Zealand.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to observe the education and vocational achievements and social participation of cochlear implant recipients as they graduate from a paediatric cochlear implant programme and identify any significant associations that might exist. METHOD: This study identified 56 patients from the Southern Cochlear Implant Programme (SCIP) who received cochlear implants before the age of 19 (paediatric) and are now over the age of 19 (adult). A questionnaire investigated their education, employment, and identity with the hearing and deaf communities. Also included were the satisfaction with life scale and Hearing Participation Scale (HPS). Subjects ranged in age from 19 to 32. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients responded to the questionnaire, including one non-user. Twenty identified strongly or very strongly with the hearing community. There was weak evidence of a linear association between strong identity with the hearing community and a higher HPS score. No other statistically significant associations were detected. Interestingly, 12 out of 26 participants found employment through family. CONCLUSION: Positive outcome trends in education and employment were seen in this study although no statistical significance was achieved. There is a strong bias for those who use their cochlear implants regularly, and there are no data available for those who do not use their cochlear implants for comparison as only one non-user completed the survey, despite efforts to include this group. This study shows that there is perceived benefit in implantation for patients who use it regularly but further research is needed with a more diverse group of cochlear implant recipients.

From the Margins to the Spotlight: Diverse Deaf and Hard of Hearing Student Populations and Standardized Assessment Accessibility.

Designing assessments and tests is one of the more challenging aspects of creating an accessible learning environment for students who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH), particularly for deaf students with a disability (DWD). Standardized assessments are a key mechanism by which the educational system in the United States measures student progress, teacher effectiveness, and the impact of school reform. The diversity of student characteristics within DHH and DWD populations is only now becoming visible in the research literature relating to standardized assessments and their use in large-scale accountability reforms. The purpose of this article is to explore the theoretical frameworks surrounding assessment policy and practice, current research related to standardized assessment and students who are DHH and DWD, and potential implications for practice within both the assessment and instruction contexts.

Effects of SES on literacy development of deaf signing bilinguals.

Research on spoken-language monolinguals and bilinguals has shown that socioeconomic status significantly affects literacy outcomes. One explanation for this effect is that children in higher-SES homes have better oral proficiency in the language of literacy instruction (Hoff, 2013; Zhang et al., 2013). American Sign Language-English deaf bilingual children exhibit a unique profile because they achieve L2 literacy without prior development of spoken L2 proficiency. This provides an opportunity to evaluate the role of SES in literacy development without the confounding effect of the influence of spoken-language proficiency. The present study evaluated effects of SES and ASL proficiency on 135 deaf signing bilinguals' English reading proficiency. Although SES and ASL proficiency were not correlated in this sample, both factors were significant predictors of reading proficiency. The implications of these findings for educational reform in schools with deaf students are discussed.

Testicular cancer knowledge among deaf and hearing men.

Testicular cancer typically affects young and middle-aged men. An educational video about prostate and testicular cancer was created in American Sign Language, with English open captioning and voice overlay, so that it could be viewed by audiences of diverse ages and hearing characteristics. This study recruited young Deaf (n = 85) and hearing (n = 90) adult males to help evaluate the educational value of the testicular cancer portion of this video. Participants completed surveys about their general, testicular, and total cancer knowledge before and after viewing the video. Although hearing men had higher pre-test scores than Deaf men, both Deaf and hearing men demonstrated significant increases in General, Testicular, and Total Cancer Knowledge scores after viewing the intervention video. Overall, results demonstrate the value of the video to Deaf and hearing men.

Development of a low cost assistive listening system for hearing-impaired student classroom.

This paper describes the design, development, and tests of a low cost ALS. It was designed for hearing-impaired student classrooms. It utilised digital wireless technology and was aimed to be an alternative to a popular FM ALS. Key specifications include transmitting in 2.4 GHz ISM band with eight selectable transmission channels, battery operated and chargeable, pocket size, and ranged up to thirty metres. Audio characteristics and user tests show that it is comparable to a commercial system, currently employed in our partner school. The results also show that wearing an ALS clearly improves hearing of hearing-impaired students. Long-term usage by school children will be monitored to evaluate the system robustness and durability.