Students Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

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Implications of Hearing Loss in the Postsecondary
Education Setting

People with hearing loss make up a very diverse group. The impact of a hearing loss will vary from person to person. There are several factors that contribute to the diversity among people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Some of these factors are:

• Age of onset of hearing loss
• Degree of hearing loss
• Communication method
• Type of educational program(s) attended

Though differences exist among the members of this population, access to communication is of primary concern to all students with hearing loss. These students may use an interpreter, a notetaking service, or an assistive listening device to ensure access to communication. Another area of concern for some students relates to proficiency in English. Some of the implications on written language and reading are described in the following sections.