Tool #6 Check for Proper Lighting

Be aware that students with hearing loss speech read more than anyone realizes! 

Too Dark: When lighting is inadequate the student with hearing loss can lose the ability to speech read the speaker and to a "look 

for clues" from other children. For example, a Teacher was using a projector and had turned the room lights off. Later, the child told me he had no idea what the teacher had just explained.

Too Bright: We have all had the experience of someone standing in front of a bright window and the person's face is now in a 

shadow. While classroom windows are beautiful, when the speaker stands directly in front of the window, their face is in a shadow therefore making it impossible for the child with hearing loss to speech read.

The bright light of the sun streaming in or the light off a projector can also cause glare around the room.

The young child depends on the teacher or adult to be aware of the lighting in the room. The teacher needs to be aware of where they are in the classroom. Remember standing in front of the window on a sunny day puts your face in a shadow.

Students at this phase should be speaking up 

(self-advocating) on a more consistent basis. Instead of sitting in poor lighting and letting class pass them by, the student should let teachers know when things needs to be adjusted! 

Middle and High School Students need to assert with confidence their advocacy skills. Proper lighting enables the student to use other tools such as looking for clues, speechreading or checking the board.