Submitted by Janelle Parker, NC Teacher
May is Better Speech and Hearing Month, which makes it a good time to look at what speech therapy for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students really means in school.
Imagine trying to follow a movie when the sound keeps cutting in and out.
You catch parts of what is said, but you miss the details that make everything connect.
That is often what communication feels like for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students.
I worked with a student whose speech sounded connected during short conversations.
“I have three cats, Birdie, Blondie, and Kit Cat,” she would say. She could describe them in detail.
From the outside, she sounded like she was doing fine.
When the Conversation Changes
But as conversations shifted, she did not shift with them.
If someone asked about her day, she talked about her cats.
If a teacher asked about a lesson, she talked about her cats.
At first, it seemed like a preference.
Over time, it became clear it was something else.
She did not have enough language to move into something new.
More Than Speech Sounds
Speech therapy is often misunderstood for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students.
If a student speaks clearly, teams may assume speech services are no longer needed.
But speech therapy for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students may include:
- language development
- listening skills
- self advocacy
- communication across real school situations
Where This Shows Up
As expectations increase, the gap becomes more noticeable.
Her classmates begin writing about new ideas, explaining concepts, and using varied vocabulary.
Her work stays repetitive and familiar.
It is not because she has nothing to say.
She needs support expanding vocabulary and shifting topics when communication changes.
Speech Therapy Is About Language
Speech therapy is often associated with articulation.
For many Deaf and Hard of Hearing students, it also supports:
- understanding vocabulary
- following directions
- answering questions
- explaining ideas clearly
Students with hearing loss often miss small pieces of language throughout the day. Not enough to stop everything, but enough to make it harder to follow and respond over time.
Listening Is a Skill
Listening with hearing loss requires effort and strategy.
Students may need to learn how to:
- understand speech in background noise
- follow fast paced discussion
- listen from a distance
- ask for repetition
Technology supports access, but it does not replace instruction.
In middle and high school, these demands increase. Students move quickly between classes, work in groups, and manage more complex language.
A student may appear to be following along but later realize they missed key information.
Speaking Up Matters
Students also need to learn how to advocate for themselves.
Some may not know how to say:
- “Can you repeat that?”
- “I need to sit closer.”
- “It is too noisy.”
These are communication skills.
When students learn to speak up, they become more independent and more successful across settings.
Social Communication
Communication at school extends beyond instruction.
Lunch, group work, and hallway conversations often include background noise and multiple speakers.
Speech therapy can support:
- joining conversations
- staying on topic
- repairing misunderstandings
Without support, students may begin to withdraw because communication takes effort.
What This Means for School Teams
Speech therapy goals should reflect real communication demands.
Teams should consider:
- Can the student follow directions?
- Can they shift topics when needed?
- Can they explain ideas beyond familiar language?
A Broader View
Speech therapy for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students supports communication, participation, and learning.
Better Speech and Hearing Month is a reminder to look beyond how a student sounds and focus on how they communicate across their day. To explore additional accessibility topics and classroom strategies, visit the other articles on the Equalize Services blog.