Transcript Slide 1

Classroom Management of
FM Systems
By
Linda Thibodeau
University of Texas at Dallas
Advanced Hearing Research Center
Callier Center for Communication Disorders
Acknowledgements
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Phonak
Frye Electronics
Jennifer Harrison, MS, CFLE
Preschool Deaf Education Teacher
 Dallas Independent School District
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Marcia Crouch, MS
Deaf Education Coordinator
 Plano Independent School District
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INTRODUCTION
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Demographics
Transition to New Equipment
Viewpoints
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Audiologist
Teacher
Administrator
Summary
DEMOGRAPHICS
DEMOGRAPHICS
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Total Size
Regional Dayschool
Students
Teachers
Interpreters
SLPs
Audiologists
Paraprofessionals
PISD
55,000
DISD
161,000
240
29
15
3
1.75
8
400
50
16
8
~3
20
DEMOGRAPHICS
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Shared Services
Communication
Campuses
Attendance
Dropout Rate
Economically
Disadvantaged
PISD
DISD
18
17
Oral/TC Oral/TC
5
7
97%
95%
.4%
1.3%
14%
78%
TRANSITION TO NEW
EQUIPMENT
FM SYSTEMS PRIOR TO 2003
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Equipment
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DISD-Body-worn FM Receivers with earbud
coupling, personal aids removed daily
PISD-Body-worn FM Receivers with neckloop
coupling, personal aids used daily
Big difference in
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DISD DID NOT rely on the personal aid
PISD DID rely on the personal aid
MORE IMPLICATIONS FOR TRANSITION TO
NEW SYSTEM
NEW FM SYSTEMS IN FALL
2003
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Transmitters
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FM Transmitters-Campus S
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FM Amplifiers
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DISD – Lapel mics, Wall Pilots
PISD – Cheek mics
DISD – Maxx 311 and Power Maxx
411
PISD – Maxx 311 and Supero 412
FM Receivers
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MLxS
Automatic Frequency
Synchronization-AFS
MLxS with Wall Pilot
FM ARRANGEMENTS
All children fit with binaural FM
All teachers have an assigned channel
In PISD…CI children in PISD have FM on CI
AND have FM amplifier/receiver on nonimplant ear unless parent denies that
option
In DISD…Wall pilots allow child to walk out
of room and null out to common
frequency, when they walk in the teacher
beams channel
VARIATIONS WITH AGE
GROUPS
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Preschool
 Centers, Wall pilots, teachers assigned
channels and do small groups
Elementary
 Teachers have mics (art/music/PE)
Middle/Jr High School
 Some students carry mic to teachers
SR/High School
 Students carry mic to teachers, less
likely to have same classes
 Wall Pilots in DISD
VIEWPOINTS
AUDIOLOGIST
VIEWPOINTS
AUDIOLOGIST VIEWPOINTS
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PROS
Ordering Equipment-Fewer models
to control
Making earmold impressions
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Consider delays caused by earmold
orders
Fitting-Easy to change, same
software for all
Verification-Coordination with
private audiologist
AUDIOLOGIST VIEWPOINTS
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PROS
Verification-Coordination with
private audiologist
Not monitoring personal aids
School provides batteries
Laptop essential !
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Programming
Database of Equipment
Records of Verification
AUDIOLOGIST VIEWPOINTS
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CONS
Batteries drive HA but may not have
power to drive HA+FM
Need to keep transmitters charged or
battery door open
Need power strips for central charging
area, i.e. Middle School where students
carry transmitters to teachers
Replacement equipment needs
programming using laptop at central
location?
FM SET UP SEQUENCE
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Helpful items to acquire BEFORE
startup:
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School Calendar
School Daily Bell Schedule
School Map
Teacher’s Conferencing Periods
Email addresses of all involved
Student Schedules
SETUP INFORMATION NEEDED
Determine
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Students needing FM in the school
Daily schedule-changing classes
Overlap in student’s classes
Location of classes
Number of transmitters/ channels
needed
FM STARTUP
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Assign channels to classes
Program Equipment
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Transmitters-Set Default Channels
FM Amplifiers
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FM Receivers
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Set gain/MPO/VC lock?
Verify re: personal aid
Use Toaster to set FM Advantage and
Default Channels
Verify FM Advantage/Transparency
Inventory Equipment by Class
Phonak Software for FM
Programming
Verification with FM Examiner
Software for
FP35/40 Hearing Aid Analyzer
FM Examiner Provides Picture
Prompts for Measurements
FM Examiner allows Results to
be stored on Laptop
FM STARTUP
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FM Introduction Meeting with Staff
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Explain daily routine, cabinets
Explain Inventory Sheets
Practice “beaming” channels
Introduce FM to students via
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Demo, Storybook: “Arthur gets FM”
Explain daily routine, cabinets
Review costs and consequences
Practice setting channels and FM switches
IMPLEMENTATION TOOLS
on EARRING CD ROM
www.utd.edu/~thib
STAR PROJECT
Specialized Types of Acoustic
Receivers
CONTENTS
FM Transmitter Guide Sheet
Student Inservice Agenda
Student STAR Chart
Student STAR Record
TEACHER
VIEWPOINTS
Teacher Viewpoints
Daily Routine
Downside of BTE FM’s
Can accidentally go home
Smaller size may be hard to find
Perspiration
Positive impact of BTE FM’s
No food in microphone
Easier to use, quick to put on
Switch between channels easily
Volume controls not as accessible for child
and can be deactivated
Positive impact of BTE FM’s
Don’t have to invade space to change
channels
Students move easily through centers
Fewer parts to be damaged or replaced
Students like system, FM’s and hearing
aids are not different
Clothes do not cover
environmental mic
Educational Impact
Used more frequently because easy to get
on teacher’s channel
Easier for field trips-can hear in small groups
Stimulate more language/speech work
Use teacher microphone to stimulate speech
Educational Impact
Use teacher microphone to stimulate speech
Listen for Beep as an auditory training activity
Pay attention easier
If across the room, they can still hear teacher
More language input because of “overhearing”
ADMINISTRATOR
VIEWPOINTS
ADMINISTRATOR VIEWPOINTS
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Responsible for child being amplified
according to IDEA-Part B and C
Meet the law by providing FM Amplifier
Not dependent on personal aid
Parents expect digital FM if you are
taking off child’s digital aid
Common FM facilitates fitting time for
audiologists and maximizes amplification
time
PROCESS
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Parent Meeting-Demo
Introduced first at Middle School where
they hated the body systems
Parent Conferences
Help get information needed to assign
transmitters/channels for school
Lost receivers
 Submit claim in the first year, $100 to
replace
Stress Inventory…sharing responsibility
with teachers to check inventory
FUNDING
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Need good rapport with
administration
District Philosophy is to do
what needs to be done!
Use research to support request
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Show how all students do better
with FM
Ear level arrangement gives better
response
FUNDING
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Present as a one time Major
Funding request
Critical unmet needs grant
from Texas Education Agency
Watch for funding
opportunities
 Bond Money for additional
equipment such as:
Earmold cleaners, Dry and
Store for each campus
Maintenance Issues
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Fewer repairs and downtime-cords,
administrative time, instructional time
Increased maintenance cost?
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Earmolds
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Batteries
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New earmolds at least each year for preschool
and elementary, older if needed
Same cost…had to order new rechargeable with
older body-worn systems
Repairs
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No substantial difference
HINDSIGHT
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Before making the transition…
Meet with all the teachers, aides,
interpreters and PROVE the difference
Consider time during the summer for
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Setting equipment
Making Earmolds
Verifying equipment functioning
Coordinate plan to start using FMs first day!
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Determine class arrangements so channels can be
set
Elementary easier, schedules don’t change as much
FEEDBACK
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SLP-“How thankful I am for this new
supporting technology that gives support
to the daily communication needs of our
hearing impaired children.”
Teacher-”Children respond with better
acuity and over greater distances as
evident in their improved speech
language imitations.”
Teacher-”Children attend more, focus
more, and can tell if they are hearing
someone else’s voice”
FEEDBACK
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Parent of four children with hearing lossThey are less cumbersome.
Without neckloop it is so much easier.
I’m sure the quality is better!
StudentsA child with limited language showed
awareness when FM turned on
The students who don’t like them …are
ones that don’t like to be told what to do,
ie teenagers!
SUMMARY
SUMMARY
Audiologist’s work is simplified by
common equipment and fitting
which means more time for
verification and monitoring
classroom use.
SUMMARY
Teacher’s efforts are increased by
easier access to providing FM signal,
simplified equipment maintenance,
and overall positive acceptance.
SUMMARY
Administrator’s concerns are reduced
because optimal system is provided
to ALL students with increased FM
opportunities throughout daily
classes in an efficient manner with
fewer repairs/ downtime.
? Questions ?
THANK YOU!