ABSTRACT The study was to investigate the causes of poor academic performance among the hearing impaired learners in regular primary schools. The researcher used questionnaires used to collect information form the respondents, the respondents were 25 teachers and 50 learners from the three sampled schools. The researcher found that in comparison with their hearing counterparts, hearing impaired learners performed poorly in academic work due to a number of factors. These include:- • Poor methods of teaching and practices by regular teachers; • Teachers' lack of knowledge and skills to handle them; • Lack of resources • Communication barriers and lack of language interpreter; • Negative attitude from teachers, parents and peers towards deaf children The researcher made recommendations and suggestions that the government should embark on training and equipping all teachers with skills regarding special needs education. Seminars and workshops should be organized to sensitize all the people dealing with hearing impaired learners. Public awareness should be made to people in order to accept and support these learners.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
fitle Page ._;; ....................................................................... (i)
)eclaration : ................................................ : .......................... (ii)
pproval ............................................................................... (111)
)edication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (iv)
"ck:nowledgement ..................................................................... (v)
.bstract ................................................................................ (vi)
'HAPTERONE
0 Introduction ................................................................... 1
2 Statement of problem ....................................................... 1
3 Purpose of the study ................................................... 2
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R esearc · h o b. ~ect1ves . '> ......................................................... ,:,..,
Scope of the study ........................................................... 2
Research Questions .......................................................... 2
Significance ................................................................... 3
Operational definition of terms ........................................... 3
Limitations and delimitations .............................................. 4
[APTER TWO
Literature review ............................................................ 5
Introduction ................................................................... 5
Growth of special education in Kenya .................................... 5
.1 Education for children with H. I. .......................................... 7
0 Definition of hearing impaired ............................................ 7
2 Types and degree of hearing impaired . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3 Conductive hearing .......................................................... 8
4 Sensori-Neural Impairment ................................................ 9
5 Mixed Hearing Impairment ............................................... 9
J Classification according to severity of the hearing loss ................ 9
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: . 3. 7 Classification according to age of onset. ................................ 10
,.4 Causes of hearing impairments .......................................... 10
.4.1 Indicators of a child having hearing impairment ....................... 12
.5 Prevalence of hearing ..................................................... 12
.6 Personal characteristics of learners with .......................... 12
. 7 Identification and Evaluation .............................................. 15
. 8. 1 _The impact on interaction in home and classroom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
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. Interaction in classroom ................................................ 16
Mediating the environment ............................................. 17
Interpreters ................................................................ 20
Amplification and other Technology ways to mediate ............. 20
The impact on participation in school, community and society ... 21
Learners with hearing impairment in the community .............. 22
Methodology ................................................................ 23
Introduction .................................................................. 23
Research approach ......................................................... 23
Research Design/Strategy ................................................. 23
Study population ............................................................ 23
Sample size .................................................................. 23
Sampling procedure ....................................................... 23
InstrumenUTools ............................................................ 24
Piloting ............................................ .' .......................... 24
Data collection procedure ................................................ 24
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Data presentation and ...................................................... 25
Response to the questionnaire ........................................ 25-33
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:HAPTERS
. O Discussion, Conclusion and recommendations ........................ 34
.1 Introduction .................................................................. 34
.2 Discussion ................................................................... 34
.3 Recomtnendations ........................................................ 37
lbliography .......................................................................... 38
ppendix I - Questionnaire ......................................................... 39
ppendix II - Questionnaire ........................................................ 41