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Whether you're a permanent teacher, supply teacher or student teacher, you'll find others in the same situation on our Staffroom forum.

Original poster

teaching assistant work.placement and me being deaf

27 replies

biglips · 13/08/2017 13:24

I tried teaching assistant work placement in year 4 but it didn't work cos it was too noisy and I'm deaf. (plus had a few home problems which is now all sorted).

Thinking of retrying it again but only to do reception class only as the course is only from reception class OR to become a nursery nurse

Help please

Thanks

OP posts:
MurielsBottom · 13/08/2017 13:46

What help do you want exactly? I can only think that working in reception will be even more noisy than year 4. I have a severe hearing loss and I used to be a pre school deputy. I really struggled and I am in the process of retraining now as I just couldn't do my job effectively anymore when I lost my hearing.

MurielsBottom · 13/08/2017 13:49

Of course it does depend on how well you manage with hearing aids and other adaptations but I struggled to hear over any background noise.

Floralnomad · 13/08/2017 13:54

How deaf are you ? my ds has moderate hearing loss and he teaches .

rollonthesummer · 13/08/2017 13:56

Year 4 classes are substantially quieter than Recepion classes!

BackforGood · 13/08/2017 14:05

Agree that there will be a LOT more noise in Reception than in Yr4.
Have you thought about speaking to the Hearing Support Team at your local authority to see if they have any support roles you might be interested in ?

Original poster
biglips · 13/08/2017 14:15

I had a group of 8 on my 2nd day in the noisy class that was spilt into 3 groups. Class was huge. And I couldn't hear them ☹

OP posts:
Original poster
biglips · 13/08/2017 14:24

I'm born deaf. If I take my hearing aids. I can't hear a thing.

OP posts:
TheSolitaryBoojum · 13/08/2017 14:54

Have you thought about winking as 1:1 support fir a child with additional needs? I agree that reception will probably be much harder.

rollonthesummer · 13/08/2017 14:55

I really don't understand why you think Reception will be quieter though?

PrincessHairyMclary · 13/08/2017 14:59

What about TAing in a secondary school?

TheSolitaryBoojum · 13/08/2017 14:59

*working

Original poster
biglips · 13/08/2017 15:51

Roll - I don't as I've never been in reception class before. As I'm just presuming. Just like to see what options I have got with my disability.

Back - no I haven't. I'll have a look for their number and see.

Princess - I love being with younger kids.

OP posts:
Original poster
biglips · 13/08/2017 16:04

Solitary - not really thought of a 1.1 might look into that. Thanks

OP posts:
PurpleAlerts · 13/08/2017 16:41

Hi - have you thought about getting a Roger pen FM system? It can be used in a small group situation. I have several HI students on my caseload who use them and also a deaf friend uses one at work. I think something called "access to work" provided it for her.

coriliavijvaad · 13/08/2017 17:28

The 1:1 idea sounds worth looking into. Reception classes are very noisy.

Are there any schools near you which have additional facilities for pupils with hearing impairments? A school that is already switched on to the needs of people with impaired hearing might be a good working environment.

Littlefish · 13/08/2017 17:42

I'm a Reception teacher. My hearing is not great, although just above the level for hearing aids. I find it very hard to hear the children talking at times as there is a lot of background noise and many of the children have very quiet voices.

Original poster
biglips · 13/08/2017 17:55

Purple...no I've not heard of the Roger pen fm system but I think that maybe the answer as I have the correct hearing aids to use it. I will do my homework!.. Thank you.

Corilia - no, no hearing impairment schools by mine as nearest one is an hour plus drive away.

Little fish - do you actually wear hearing aids? And do you get any help? Or are you ok of what you are doing? (sorry for being nosey!😁).

OP posts:
Littlefish · 13/08/2017 18:14

Hi Biglips. I don't wear hearing aids. My tests have always come out at the bottom of the scale for normal/borderline for hearing aids. I just really struggle with background noise. If the children aren't looking at me, I can't hear them. I'm absolutely fine teaching, as long as the children are looking at me. If it gets too noisy in the room around me, I just ring my bell and ask the children to play a little more quietly.

Original poster
biglips · 13/08/2017 19:03

Little fish - that's interesting to know. Thanks for replying.

Thanks everyone for your help as I really appreciated it.

OP posts:
TreacleFarl · 14/08/2017 14:57

I work 1:1 at the minute and have moderate loss, I really should wear a HA in my right ear but don't. Blush

It is much better as you often get the chance to leave the room to work and you only have to focus on one child most of the time. However, you will be expected to work with other children and the class as a whole at times depending on the teacher. I find this tricky and need to use a bit of guesswork while trying to lip read children and the teacher. I use the context of what is going on to decipher what is being said so much so that it has become the norm.

If you make the placement aware then hopefully you should be ok but I love 1:1 work and it can be quieter. Good luck with everything!

KeiraTwiceKnightley · 14/08/2017 15:09

I have quite a significant loss and wear two hearing aids which give me approx 80% of good hearing. My speech is not affected. I teach secondary English and have worked as a TA in yr6 when my kids were small.

It's fine. Classrooms are noisy at times but I insist on silence when students/I am talking to the group - primarily cos it is good manners! Small group work is fine as I can use my lip reading skills better. I'd find reception a challenge partly because of the tiny voices of the shy children.

While I don't draw attention to my hearing aids, my students usually know and bar the odd rolled eye when I ask them to repeat themselves it is no biggie.

Original poster
biglips · 15/08/2017 20:54

Treacle and Kiera - thanks for your advices and thank you.

I've got a whole year to think which one I want to do. Ta or nursery nurse. The reason a whole year, I cant afford to quit my part time job as yet.

OP posts:
GreenTulips · 16/08/2017 01:44

Can you try volunteering once a week?
1:1 jobs are in the increase

Original poster
biglips · 16/08/2017 09:09

Green - yes. that's what I'm gonna do as.I've sent a few emails to the schools last night

OP posts:
sashh · 16/08/2017 10:06

OP

It's not just being deaf it is the type of deafness you have that can make a difference, eg the deafness many people grow in to later in life usually starts with a higher pitch hearing loss which is why many people struggle to understand their small grandchildren, the child's voice is high pitched.

Also background noise, some types of hearing loss or sensory processing means you cannot filter out background noise.

It might be worth you discussing things with your audiologist, find out the pitch /range of your hearing (if you don't already know) and visit the disability adviser at the job centre, you do not have to be unemployed to have an appointment with them.

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