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Hear for School: A development program for teachers

19 June 2023

Hear for School is a professional development program that aims to help school staff support their students’ hearing and communication needs. 
 
In most schools in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, many students have trouble hearing because of a current ear infection. Many students have also experienced ear infections during early childhood. 
 
This affects ‘school readiness’ and many students start school with a language delay. Students who aren’t hearing well have to put extra effort into listening, which takes brain resources away from learning. 
 
As ear disease comes and goes and the signs can be subtle, it’s challenging for teachers to know which students need help hearing.  To tackle this, we believe in using strategies that give all students the best chance of hearing well. 

The Hear for School program 

Hear for School is a professional development program that aims to help school staff support their students’ hearing and communication needs. 
 
Hear for School starts with an individual self-assessment, so teachers' learning needs can be identified and a program can be developed for the school. The aim is to complement rather than duplicate existing support the school is receiving from Hearing Support teachers and others visiting hearing health services. 
 
The 20 minute sessions are delivered by our audiologists during our regular visits to your school, at no cost. They include hands-on and interactive activities, with written supporting material. 
 
In the Northern Territory, participation in these sessions will help schools move along the Department of Education’s Now Hear pathway. Talk to your visiting audiologist or call us on 131 797. 

The flags of the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander peoples

Hearing Australia acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land that we live and work on, and we pay our respects to Elders past, present and future.