This study assessed the knowledge levels of classroom teachers concerning students with hearing loss (HL) and hearing aids (HAs) and examined the complex interrelationships between this knowledge, their inclusive classroom behaviors, and their attitudes.
Audiologists and hearing instrument specialists should consider incorporating teacher education materials into pediatric hearing aid fittings, as teacher knowledge gaps are likely to affect real-world hearing aid benefit for school-age children.
Teacher knowledge and attitudes directly shape the classroom experience for children with hearing loss, making this research a key bridge between clinical fitting and real-world hearing aid outcomes in pediatric populations.
- 01Survey assessed teachers' knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours toward students with hearing loss.
- 02Gaps in teacher knowledge about hearing aids and hearing loss are likely common.
- 03Inclusive education policy effectiveness depends partly on teacher preparedness.
- 04Findings have direct implications for audiologist-school liaison and parent counselling.
- 05Published in Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools — a core audiology/SLP journal.
Many classroom teachers lack sufficient knowledge about hearing loss and hearing aids to effectively support students in inclusive education settings.
studypartially supported- PMID
- 42059799
- DOI
- 10.1044/2026_LSHSS-25-00251.
- Journal
- Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools
- Publication type
- research_article
- Evidence level
- 2b
- Population
- Classroom teachers working with students who have hearing loss in inclusive education settings
- Intervention
- Survey assessing knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours regarding hearing loss and hearing aids
Primary outcomes
Teacher knowledge about hearing loss and hearing aids; Teacher attitudes toward inclusive education for students with hearing loss; Teacher behaviours supporting students with hearing loss in the classroom
