My 8 1/2 yo son needs a personal auditory trainer. He will need a portable model to take from class to class. Can anyone recommend one? Also is there a difference between a desktop model vs headphones? I think he would prefer the desktop model as opposed to the earphones/belt pack. Our SLP has not had any experience with any particular one. He has neural pathway delays and focus issues. This was at the recommendation of an audiologist who did a full eval. Thanks!
Pattim - info for schools
My 13 year-old daughter is currently in a residential treatment center (she is a trauma survivor). She is LD, ADHD, CAPD and has Tourettes. In 5th grade, an assistive technology evaluation recommended a FM trainer but her school was too close to some high-powered radio towers and it didn’t work.
On her last semester report card (from the RTC), every teacher mentioned poor listening skills - asks for frequent repeats, can follow simple instructions but not difficult ones, and my favorite comment, listens when she wants to.
I sent her case manager information on FM trainers from Phonic Ear (www.phonicear.com) along with the form for a free 45-day trial. I asked that they try it with her.
Yesterday I got a call from the academic department, they are ‘concerned’ that R. will use the FM trainer as a crutch and they feel she should develop the skills to focus and listen. I tried to tell him that the FM trainer is similar to her glasses and not a crutch.
Do you have recommendation for what I can send them to explain better the need? Some of the staff at the RTC (which is 600 miles away from me) feel that every behavior is a ‘choice’ and I fear that this guy is one of them.
Thanks
what a bunch of ostriches.. :-P
Boy, do they sound close minded…and have their heads in the sand….. yeah…right….I guess my contacts, my hearing aid, my FM system is a crutch.. blankety.NO….It isn’t a crutch if it helps me to be successful. Your daughter has to be comfortable in using an FM system.. It is noticeable so perhaps you can tell them if she is willing to STAND out by using the FM system, looking different than her peers in the RTF then they should allow her the privilege….to try it. It can only make their life easier…what do they have to loose? Plus the records already state that she needs one..
Phonic Ear would have documentation about the use of FM systems. A lot of the research into using FM systems is backed by you guessed it…the manufacturers…
Assistive listening devices are also known by their old name Auditory Trainers. They are great to use for children who have ADD too…There are some real benefits to using them…however,I don’t recommend a desktop one…but I have seen a product called sound in a bag which is mighty fine…and surprised me when I saw it in a CASHA conference…What I would recommend is to ditch the headphones and use sony walkman earbud headphones..they aren’t as noticeable…
When I was a kid I had to use the old fashioned headphones and I hated them…they gave me a headache but the earbuds work fine for me in college, in sessions where I need direct audio input. The best situation would be to use an ear-level auditory trainer.
These are some manufacturers of Assistive listening devices…
Phonak, williams sound makes a pocket talker, Sound in a bag…I can’t remember the manufacturer…
I am 2 months shy of my graduation as an SLP, I work with an audiologist who is a CAPD guru and it never ceases to amaze me that many SLP’s in the field are ill-prepared to deal with children and adults with hearing issues…and sadly many don’t have experience with assistive listening devices…
Some districts have amplified classrooms wherein the teacher is wearing a microphone and the students listen to speakers set around the room. I am not so nuts about those as yes the teachers voice is louder but if the room has poor acoustics then the child is lost, plus some kids will try and talk over the teachers voice which just amplifies the sound in the room… Been there done that…Any more questions fell free to e-mail me..