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Online College Guide for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Students

According to the National Deaf Center of Postsecondary Outcomes, those students who are deaf and hard-of-hearing are more likely than other students to attend college courses online. Approximately 17.1% of deaf and hard-of-hearing students use an online program for their entire college curriculum, while only about 10.7% of students with no hearing impairments do the same. This choice for online options is mostly due to the ability for students to set up their own accommodations more easily than when on campus, like closed captioning and ASL interpreters. This seems easier than relying solely on their school’s ability to provide necessary resources for multiple classes.

This does not mean the online classes are not without challenges for these students. Deaf and hard-of-hearing students still need to be proactive when it comes to researching schools that are able to accommodate their needs fully. Below, we will outline the challenges they face, the typical accommodations that are available, and some of the top colleges and scholarships for these students.

From intelligent.com

Common Challenges Facing Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Students

Even for students with typical hearing, learning new concepts and absorbing information can be difficult. However, for the 1.3% of deaf and hard-of-hearing students in the U.S., it can be even more of a challenge, especially when the proper accommodations are not in place or available. Some common issues that these students face include:

Difficulty understanding lectures and assignments without accommodations.
Challenges with communication outside the classroom, especially with peers, can lead to isolation and contribute to mental health problems like anxiety and depression.

When learning takes place online, specific challenges also arise. These include:

Poor audio quality due to issues with teleconferencing platforms or the instructor’s device.
Excess background noise in the student’s or instructor’s location.
Poor image quality or lighting in the instructor’s video feed, which can make lip-reading difficult.
Inability to see all participants in a virtual classroom if cameras are not turned on.
Multiple students talking at once.

Transitioning to Higher Education With Online Courses

In high school, accommodations for students who are deaf or hard of hearing are typically provided by teachers or administrators. Then, in college, those students who are over 18 are legally considered adults and are responsible for securing the necessary accommodations. This can be difficult and overwhelming for someone who is still relatively young and not used to having to ask for what they need to function as hearing counterparts. Before classes even begin, students should reach out to school officials or specific professors for their classes to discuss their needs.

For students attending online, it is especially important to be proactive, as they may not have access to the resources available on campus. Virtual meetings with faculty members can be arranged using apps like Zoom, which makes it much easier to get support for students who are not local.

Online Accommodations for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Students

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that all public colleges and universities provide deaf and hard-of-hearing students with equal access to all educational activities. This includes online courses in most cases. To comply with this act, colleges generally offer the following accommodations when requested:

Interpreters

American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters allow students to follow along with lectures without needing audio assistance. Students need to request interpreters through their school’s disability support services well before the class begins.

Captioning

While automatic speech recognition (ASR) is available on platforms like Zoom, it’s not always accurate enough for academic settings. There are times when what is written does not make sense with what is spoken. This can be problematic for detailed course information that is needed. For more precise captions, students can request Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART), where a trained professional transcribes speech in real-time. Although CART is more expensive than ASR, the cost is typically covered by the school.

Assistive Technology

Interpreting and captioning are great as a form of assistance, but assistive technologies such as e-textbooks with note-sharing features can help students work together more effectively. Students may also consider using other tools to improve their learning experience. Many are available online for free or rather cheaply.

What if Your School Does Not Offer Accommodations?

If accommodations that are legally required are not provided by your school, then a student can file a complaint. A complaint can be filed in different ways depending on the type of school being attended. Public school students can file ADA Title II complaints with the Department of Justice, while those attending private schools can file an ADA Title III complaint. This is based on the status of the school, not just the accommodations provided. If the school is receiving federal funding, students can even file a complaint under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act if needed.

Popular Listening Devices and Applications for Students

There are several devices and applications that can enhance the learning experience for deaf and hard-of-hearing students, especially when using online learning environments. Two of these include:

AfterShokz OpenMove Headphones: Bone-conducting headphones that are ideal for students with damaged eardrums but healthy cochleas.
Sakobs Computer Soundbars: High-quality external speakers that offer better sound quality than internal device speakers.

The Best Colleges for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Students

While there are many excellent colleges around the world, there are some better equipped to help students who are deaf or hard of hearing. The following colleges are among the best for deaf and hard-of-hearing students.

Each college offers a variety of accommodations, so make sure you are consulting with a disability counselor to determine which of the schools best meets your needs.

Gallaudet University (Washington, D.C.)
- Specializes in deaf and hard-of-hearing students.
- Bilingual in ASL and written English.
- Offers over 50 degree programs with online education options.
RIT National Technical Institute for the Deaf (Rochester, NY)
- The largest technical college for deaf and hard-of-hearing students.
- Offers a wide range of degree programs, including online master’s degrees.
Howard College (Big Spring, TX)
- Offers a unique community college experience with a focus on deaf students.
- Programs include degrees in Interpreter Training and ASL Support.
Ohlone College (Fremont, CA)
- Provides a range of associate degrees and certifications with excellent support for deaf students.
California State University, Northridge (Northridge, CA)
- Large enrollment and comprehensive accommodations.
- Offers both in-person and online degree programs.

Regular Hearing Aid Use May Help You Live Longer

We understand that choosing to invest in hearing aids can be a significant decision. It goes well beyond hearing better; it is about living better. That is why Denver Audiology is here to support and guide you each and every step of the way.

A new study published by Keck Medicine of USC in The Lancet Healthy Longevity provides promising news. The study shares that regular hearing aid use is linked to a 24% lower risk of early death among those with hearing loss. If nothing else, this serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of hearing health to overall well-being for individuals.

Researchers followed nearly 10,000 adults over the course of 10 years. Those with hearing loss who utilized hearing aids regularly, which was defined as at least once a week or at least five hours a week, had a much lower risk of dying than those who refused to use hearing devices. The difference in lifespan remained consistent, regardless of factors such as income, age, degree of hearing loss, or other health issues.

Interestingly, individuals who used hearing aids only occasionally did not experience the same benefits as those who regularly used them. This suggests that consistent, regular use is essential to getting the most out of your devices. This is not just in relation to your hearing, but in supporting your overall health.

While the study did not pinpoint exactly why hearing aids had this effect on health, experts believe that improved mental health and a lowered risk of conditions like depression and dementia are likely to play a role.

If you have been putting off getting hearing help, this study offers a reason to take action. Better hearing could be a step toward a healthier, longer life if you choose.

Denver Audiology is here to help you rediscover the sounds that matter most.
Call us at (303) 832-2054 to get more information about the latest hearing aid technology and how it can improve your quality of life.

Sincerely,
Bunny Barber, M.S., CCC-A
Amanda Hemann, Au.D., CCC-A

News and Special Events

Latest News and Insights

Online College Guide for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Students

Common Challenges Facing Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Students

Transitioning to Higher Education With Online Courses

Online Accommodations for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Students

What if Your School Does Not Offer Accommodations?

Popular Listening Devices and Applications for Students

The Best Colleges for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Students

Regular Hearing Aid Use May Help You Live Longer

A Revolution in Hearing Loss Technology and Care

Online College Guide for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Students

Common Challenges Facing Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Students

Transitioning to Higher Education With Online Courses

Online Accommodations for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Students

Interpreters

Captioning

Assistive Technology

What if Your School Does Not Offer Accommodations?

Popular Listening Devices and Applications for Students

The Best Colleges for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Students

Regular Hearing Aid Use May Help You Live Longer