Deaf Or Hard Of Hearing Students Research Articles

Evaluating the accessibility of higher education programs for deaf and hard of hearing students in the Arab countries

The opportunity to pursue higher education (HE) can greatly affect an individual's success in later life, but students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing (DHH) face different challenges than their hearing peers when seeking a university degree. In addition, the acquisition of HE is more significant for this population as it can provide these learners with opportunities to develop skills that improve their ability to integrate into the overall hearing society. We investigated HE programs in the context of DHH students in Arab countries through mixed methods research that employed exploratory sequential design. The target Universities were eight of the top 10 Arab region universities, as ranked by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) for 2022. We examined documents and interviewed 12 administrators at the eight institutions. In addition, 34 faculty members at the universities participated in a survey designed to obtain their perceptions regarding existing provisions for DHH students. Our investigation found that some Arab universities have recently launched programs to support DHH students in higher education. However, while Hard-of-Hearing (HoH) students are admitted to most Arab universities in various academic disciplines on an equal basis with their hearing peers, deaf students are only admitted to a few universities, are limited in the majors they are permitted to consider, and their admission is only allowed under strict conditions. From administrators, we found Arab countries have established only moderate requirements for HE programs regarding admitting and accommodating the DHH. Accordingly, we propose a set of mechanisms to improve such programs for DHH students in Arab countries to advance the educational opportunities for this population and establish recommendations on how to improve deaf education overall.

Eye Movements of Deaf Students in Expository Versus Narrative Texts.

Text comprehension, a daily academic activity in primary and secondary school, is especially challenging for deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) students. The present study analyzed the effect of text genre (narrative vs. expository) on accuracy and eye-movement patterns during text comprehension by DHH students (ages 9-15 years) when compared to a typically hearing (TH) control group matched for chronological age. Comprehension accuracy was found to be similar across text genres for both groups, though TH participants outperformed DHH participants. Regarding eye movements, both groups spent more time and made more regressive fixations in the expository text than in the narrative text, but DHH participants showed longer saccade amplitude in the expository than in the narrative, which could be interpreted as indicating better self-regulation of DHH readers in the easiest and more familiar narrative text structure.

The Role of Social Capital in the Transition to Postsecondary Education of Students Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.

Social capital can positively influence students' postsecondary aspirations and their postschool transitions to higher education and employment. Educators, families, and young people themselves can play an active role in generating and developing adolescents' social capital. A targeted focus on developing robust social capital could play an important role in the transition planning and support provided to secondary students who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) and contribute to their success in postsecondary education and employment. A qualitative study gaining the perspectives of DHH young adults attending universities in Australia investigated the role of social capital in assisting DHH students in their attainment of postsecondary education. Ten DHH university students who communicated primarily through spoken English participated in semistructured interviews. Thematic analysis identified social capital facilitator themes on four levels: community, school, family, and individual. In addition, two barrier themes were identified.

Just listen to your mind: Consequences of theory of mind development for deaf or hard-of-hearing children

BackgroundPrevious research reveals relations between theory of mind (ToM) and cognitive outcomes, but mostly among typically developing children. AimTo study these relations in children with developmental difficulties, this longitudinal study investigated the cognitive consequences of ToM in deaf or hard-of-hearing (DHH) children. Methods and proceduresOne hundred and thirty-four (X = 9.2 years) participants were assessed in three waves, i.e., one wave every ten months. The participants completed the ToM scale, language and literacy skills (LLS) tests, the academic self-concept in language (ASC-L) questionnaire, and the sensitivity to criticism measure. Outcomes and resultsThe results revealed that high levels of children’s ToM ability predicted higher levels of LLS 20 months later. Mediators of this association were sensitivity to criticism and ASC-L. Controlling for LLS at T1, ASC-L at T2 mediated the relations between ToM and LLS at T3. Moreover, sensitivity to criticism predicted ASC-L, and sensitivity to criticism and ASC-L mediated the relation between ToM and LLS at T3. That is, children who were sensitive to criticism and held positive views of their academic self were also better skilled in ToM and in LLS. Conclusions and implicationsOur results can help improve the education of DHH students.

Multimedia English Learning Materials for Deaf or Hard of Hearing (DHH) Children

In supporting learning for Deaf or Hard of Hearing/DHH children, it is not easy finding learning sources that are accessible online, especially in English. Furthermore, during the COVID-19 pandemic, when learning was required to be carried out online, there were no learning applications that included English sign language that could be used by teachers and students as learning media. Thus, this study aims to analyze the need for developing multimedia-based English learning materials for Deaf or Hard of Hearing (DHH) children. This qualitative study involved DHH students and instructors in Special School (SLB), Bali. The need analysis was conducted to identify the ongoing situation of DHH children in the context of developing English multimedia learning materials. Interview and observation techniques applying two types of instruments in the form of an interview guide and field notes were used to collect the information towards the English learning needs for DHH children. The results of the study identified several needs that underlie the development of English multimedia learning materials, namely inadequate English instructors, text-based teaching materials, and the less than optimal teaching and learning process during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the development of multimedia-based English learning materials is needed.

Barriers and facilitators to engaging in mainstream primary school classrooms: Voices of students who are deaf or hard-of-hearing

ABSTRACT Classroom engagement can be problematic for students who are deaf or hard-of-hearing (DHH), but is essential to ensure that they can reach their best educational and postschool outcomes. This study used semi-structured interviews to explore the self-perceived barriers and facilitators to classroom engagement for 16 DHH students educated in mainstream primary school settings. The interviews consisted of a series of questions and a card-sorting activity. The interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic analysis. Four themes were generated from the thematic analysis. Barriers to engagement were considered as a single theme, while facilitators to engagement were divided into three themes of student strategies, supports to students, and teacher actions. The barriers and facilitators identified demonstrate the range of complex factors that contribute to or impede the engagement of students who are DHH in mainstream classrooms. This information can be used to inform teachers, professionals, students, and their parents about the experiences of these students in mainstream classrooms. In particular, the findings indicate the importance of self-advocacy and the potential benefits of implementing self-advocacy programmes to help students who are DHH manage the challenges to engagement they face in the classroom. The findings also highlight the importance of the consistent use of facilitative teaching strategies by the classroom teacher, and the crucial impact of background noise on engagement along with improvements that could contribute to better noise management.

Did the three little pigs frighten the wolf? How deaf readers use lexical and syntactic cues to comprehend sentences

BackgroundThe ways in which students with deafness process syntactic and semantic cues while reading sentences are unclear. While some studies have supported the preference for semantic cues, others have not. AimTo examine differences in the processing of syntactic versus semantic cues during sentence reading among students who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH). MethodTwenty DHH students (mean age = 12.48 years) and 20 chronologically age-matched students with typical hearing (TH) were asked to read sentences written in Spanish with different grammatical structures and to choose the picture that best matched the sentences’ meaning while their eye movements were being registered. The picture options were manipulated so that, in addition to the correct ones, there were lexical distractors and syntactic distractors. ResultsThe TH participants outperformed the DHH participants in reading complex sentences but not simple sentences in the active voice. In the correctly answered trials, both groups fixated longer and made more fixations on the target than on the syntactic distractor than on the lexical distractor. DHH participants made significantly longer fixations on the lexical distractions. ConclusionsOur results did not support a strict preference for either lexical or semantic cues in the DHH participants.

Supplemental Online Learning Tools (SOLTs) to Support Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students in Introductory Statistics Courses

Research in most Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines uses statistical methods. Thus as students develop into research scientists, introductory statistics serves as a gateway course. If students struggle to incorporate statistics into their knowledge base, they may be effectively kept from careers that rely on statistics. Students who are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing (DHH) learn differently and thus may lag behind their hearing counterparts in mainstream classrooms. In part, a gap in language knowledge can impede the understanding of statistics topics. What is a variable? What does it mean to have a distribution? With sign language interpreters and other support services, many mainstream instructors believe that DHH students have equal access to learning in their classrooms. Yet variations of instructional skill, interpreter knowledge of the discipline, and the lack of alternative representations of content often result in access that falls short of "equal". This paper describes the work of a team of faculty and student researchers seeking best practices for creating supplemental online learning tools. Starting from a list of prioritized challenging topics in statistics, the team developed a number of strategies and produced a pilot set of instructional videos. Formative feedback led to revised videos, which provided a significant gain in knowledge for DHH students when shown in an experimental setting.

Inclusion of Signing Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing Students: Factors That Facilitate Versus Challenge Access and Participation

PurposePast studies have consistently indicated a need for improvements in inclusive educational practices. Many have focused on a single actor (e.g., the student), not taking into account the interactive nature of communication.MethodA qualitative study, involving multiple participants in two subject area general education high school classrooms, was completed to examine factors that promote versus challenge deaf or hard-of-hearing (DHH) students' access to communication and participation in classroom activities. Participants included four classroom teachers, two sign language interpreters, and three DHH students who used sign language as their primary mode of communication. Data consisted of eight 60- to 75-min in-class observations, two interviews, and three questionnaires. Data were analyzed using a participation framework of interaction as coordinated linguistic and nonlinguistic actions between multiple actors.ResultsDespite the availability of technological tools and sign language interpretation, DHH students had inconsistent access to classroom communication and lower participation than their hearing peers.ConclusionsThe results correspond to those of past studies, which suggest a research-to-practice gap that needs to be addressed if we are to see improvements in inclusive practices, particularly for students who use signed communication. Several recommendations are proposed in consideration of teacher, interpreter, and student as integral participants. Speech-language pathologists can participate in assessing whether inclusive education is meeting desired results and contribute to the development and implementation of necessary adaptations. Future studies are needed to systematically examine the efficacy of specific education and training programs.

Understanding factors that affect the prior knowledge of deaf and hard of hearing students and their relation to reading comprehension

ABSTRACT The reading comprehension levels of students who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) are low compared to those of their hearing peers. One possible reason for this low reading levels is related to the students’ prior knowledge. This study investigated the potential factors that might affected DHH students’ prior knowledge, including their degree of hearing loss, the presence or absence of family members with a hearing loss, and educational stage (elementary–middle school). The study also examined the contribution of prior knowledge in predicting DHH students’ reading comprehension levels, and investigated the differences in the students’ scores based on the type of questions, including text-explicit (TE), text-implicit (TI), and script-implicit (SI) questions. Thirty-one elementary and middle-school students completed a demographic form and assessment, and descriptive statistics and multiple and simple linear regressions were used to answer the research questions. The findings indicated that the independent variables—degree of hearing loss, presence or absence of family members with hearing loss, and educational stage—explained little of the variance in DHH students’ prior knowledge. Further, the results showed that the DHH students’ prior knowledge affected their reading comprehension. Finally, the result demonstrated that the participants were able to answer more of the TI questions correctly than the TE and SI questions. The study concluded that prior knowledge is important in these students’ reading comprehension, and it is also important for teachers and parents of DHH children to use effective ways to increase their students and children’s prior knowledge.

Diversity in deafness: Assessing students who are deaf or hard of hearing

AbstractThe purpose of this article is to support members of a student's multidisciplinary team to identify complex factors involved in providing valid classroom‐based assessment data, including issues surrounding technology‐based assessment for students who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH). The diversity of this population creates unique challenges in creating guidelines for assessment. An overview of the diversity of DHH students is used to provide a framework for examining current assessment practices, including both effective and ineffective practices. Cognitive and linguistic learning differences and diverse language learning experiences in the population are discussed as they relate to assessment protocols. Paralleling technology‐based learning experiences with comparable technology‐based assessment experiences is also presented. Recommendations for planning for accessible and meaningful assessment include the use of innovative technologies to align instruction and assessment.

Conceptions of Learning and Thinking Styles Among Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, and Hearing Students

This study explores how students’ conceptions of learning relate to their thinking styles by administering the Conceptions of Learning Inventory III and the Thinking Styles Inventory-Revised II to 350 deaf or hard-of-hearing (DHH) and 463 hearing university students in mainland China. The reliabilities for the two inventories were first estimated using Cronbach’s alpha coefficients. Then, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted to test the validity of the COL-III. Finally, to predict thinking styles from conceptions of learning, hierarchical multiple regressions were conducted. Results showed that, among both DHH and hearing students, qualitative conceptions of learning (understanding, personal change, continuous, social competence, and duty) were significantly positively associated with a wide range of thinking styles. For DHH students, the contributions of conceptions of learning ranged from 11% to 32%, with a median of 25%. The predominant predictor was personal change. For hearing students, the contributions of conceptions of learning to thinking styles ranged from 9% to 22% (with a median of 15%), with the predominant predictor being duty. Thus, conceptions of learning significantly predicted thinking styles among both DHH and hearing students. The contributions, limitations, and implications of this research are discussed.

Self-Determination and Integration among Deaf or Hard of Hearing and Hearing University Students

This study explores how self-determination relates to integration among deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) and hearing university students in mainland China. The American Institutes for Research (AIR) Self-Determination Scale and the Institutional Integration Scale were administered to 300 DHH students and 250 hearing students. Results showed that those with higher levels of self-determination tended to be more integrated, while those with lower levels scored lower on the Institutional Integration Scale. The limitations, contributions, and implications of the present research are discussed.

Conceptions of learning and quality of university life among deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing university students

ABSTRACTThis study explores how conceptions of learning relate to quality of university life among deaf or hard-of-hearing (DHH) and hearing university students in mainland China. The Conceptions of Learning Inventory III and the Quality of University Life Measure were administered to 200 DHH and 240 hearing students. Results showed that deep-level conceptions of learning (learning as duty) significantly and positively predicted quality of university life among DHH and hearing students, while surface-level conceptions of learning (learning as gaining information) significantly negatively predicted quality of university life among DHH students. The significance, limitations, and implications of the present research for university administrators, teachers, and students are discussed.

Description of the direct teaching activities of itinerant teachers of deaf and hard of hearing students

ABSTRACTThis study sought to describe and classify the support activities provided by all itinerant teachers for students who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) in regular schools in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), without exclusion. The itinerant teachers (n = 14) varied in terms of formal qualifications and experience and provided support to all DHH (n = 61) students in ACT schools, inclusive of students across all age/grade levels and those with additional disabilities. Analysis of teachers’ responses to a detailed questionnaire provided frequency and time measures for 22 possible activities, which were simplified using factor analysis into 11 categories of activities. Categorization of the activities indicated that 91% of the support time was used for direct teaching, and that 73% of the direct teaching time was primarily focused on the development of skills in language, listening, and speech. The other 27% of the direct teaching time was used for explicit class programme support. As well as providing direct teaching, the itinerant teachers provided consultation services to school personnel and parents. The findings are discussed in relation to the previous literature describing the activities of itinerant teachers of DHH students.

Social media use for deaf and hard of hearing students in educational settings: a systematic review of literature

ABSTRACTThe pedagogical benefits of the social media may be most pronounced when they impact groups of learners who are at a disadvantage in conventional face-to-face contexts. Among such disadvantaged groups are the deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) students who may experience new opportunities with the help of the social media. This paper stems from the assumption that social media can play an important role in enhancing the learning experience for DHH students. The paper presents evidence around derived from a systematic review of the literature on the use of social media by DHH students in educational settings. A comprehensive search through multiple known databases identified a dataset of 172 papers from which 11 papers met the criteria for in-depth analysis. The analysis revealed that DHH students often reported a positive impact of social media on their learning in the form of increased interaction, learning motivation, as well as support and feedback. Students also reported challenges such as privacy, time management, inappropriate content, perceived isolation and parental resistance to adoption. Besides presenting the evidence found in literature, our analysis highlights that researching the effect of social media on DHH student learning remains an under-explored area of study.

Course-Taking Effect on Postsecondary Enrollment of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students

ABSTRACTData from the National Longitudinal Transition Study-2 were used to examine the effect of academic and career or technical education course-taking in high school on deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) youth’s postsecondary enrollment in 2-year, 4-year, and career or technical education institutions. We examined the proportion of academic and career or technical education courses taken, completion of algebra, and completion of an occupationally specific course of study. Propensity model analyses indicated that academic course taking significantly increased the odds that DHH students would enroll in postsecondary school. Completion of a higher proportion of career or technical education courses was not related to enrollment in postsecondary education, including career and technical education schools. Implications for practice and future research are discussed, including the importance of secondary transition planning staff both encouraging DHH students who have a goal of future postsecondary attendance to take a rigorous, academically focused high school curriculum, and providing students with the support to complete these courses.

Thinking styles of university deaf or hard of hearing students and hearing students

Background and aimsAlthough their university enrollment has increased dramatically over the past two decades, deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) students face great challenges and a tremendous environmental adjustment when entering a mainstream university. This study aims to facilitate DHH students’ university success through exploring differences in thinking styles between DHH and hearing students from Art and Design academic disciplines in two universities in China. Methods and proceduresThe Thinking Styles Inventory-Revised II (TSI-R2) and its accommodated version were administered to 286 hearing and 256 DHH students, respectively. A demographic sheet was administered to all 542 participants. Outcomes and resultsResults show that DHH students tended to score significantly lower on Type I thinking styles (legislative and global), Type II executive style, and Type III external style than hearing students. In addition, differences in Type I styles (liberal and hierarchical) and Type II executive style between DHH and hearing students were significantly influenced by institution. Conclusions and implicationsThe present research indicates that DHH and hearing students have significant differences in their thinking styles. This yields implications for the higher education of DHH students, and for deaf schools preparing DHH students for university entry.

Thinking Styles and University Self-Efficacy Among Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, and Hearing Students.

This study explores how students' thinking styles are related to their university self-efficacy, by administering the Thinking Styles Inventory-Revised II and the University Self-Efficacy Scale to 366 deaf or hard-of-hearing (DHH) and 467 hearing university students in mainland China. Results showed that, among all participants, those with Type I styles (i.e., more creativity-generating, less structured, and cognitively more complex) had higher levels of university self-efficacy. At the same time, DHH students with Type II styles (i.e., more norm-favoring, more structured, and cognitively more simplistic) had lower levels of university self-efficacy. The contributions, limitations, and implications of the present research are discussed.

Thinking style changes among deaf, hard-of-hearing, and hearing students.

This study explores how university students' thinking styles changed over a single academic year by twice administering the Thinking Styles Inventory-Revised II to 256 deaf or hard-of-hearing (DHH) students and 286 hearing students from art and design academic disciplines in China. Results showed that after having studied at the university for one academic year, hearing students showed increased use of Type I thinking styles (more creativity generated, less structured, and more complex) and less use of Type II thinking styles (more norm favoring, more structured, and more simplistic), whereas DHH students demonstrated increased use of both Type I and Type II thinking styles. Moreover, students' changes in thinking styles differed across university class levels. The contributions, limitations, and implications of the present research are discussed.