The paper discusses the need to exercise greater experimental control over instructional variables in the investigation of sensory communication aids for the deaf. An analysis of several recent papers with respect to control of instructional variables, the need for better procedural descriptions in research reports and its relationship to…

Describes assistive technologies that are available to help schools meet the requirements of Individualized Education Plans for students with disabilities. The offerings include computer devices and specialized software programs. (EV)

The article addresses some of the primary problems in augmentative communication systems and aids for severely handicapped nonspeaking children. Selection and assessment factors include cognitive, physical, linguistic, and environmental aspects. (Author/CL)

ABLEDATA, a computerized information database, provides information on commercially available rehabilitation products in 13 major categories, including personal care, mobility, communication, and prosthetics. Product information includes manufacturer's name, availability, cost, and formal evaluation results. The network is accessible to anyone via…

This research review on tactual communication of speech discusses methods of communication intended for the tactual sense alone, issues related to tactual input as a supplement for speechreading, and issues related to developing new synthetic tactual aids and the roles such aids could play in treating people with profound hearing loss. (Author/JDD)

Laboratory results are presented which suggest that hearing-impaired individuals' speech perception can be enhanced through use of tactile aids with a number of tactile transducers conveying information about the spectral content of the speech signal, and speech production can be improved through experience using a multichannel tactile aid.…

Analysis of audio and videotapes revealed an increase from an understanding of 5 to 469 words after training with a vibrotactile device and traditional aural-oral teaching techniques in a deaf two-year-old. Compared to younger hearing children, she exhibited similar developmental patterns for rate of acquisition and stages of lexical…

The feasibility of using a single-subject design to study continuous discourse tracking skills was investigated in four normal-hearing young adults. Results indicated that the single subject paradigm was an effective way to measure differences in auditory behavior with and without an assistive listening device in reverberant conditions. (Author/DB)

Experiments using portable tactile aids in speech perception are reviewed, focusing on training studies, additive benefit studies, and device comparison studies (including the "Tactaid II,""Tactaid V,""Tacticon 1600," and "Tickle Talker"). The potential of tactual information in perception of the overall…

This article briefly describes sensory aids for individuals with hearing impairments, such as the visible speech translator, the cochlear implant, and the digital hearing aid, and identifies common trends. The article stresses factors affecting the development of sensory aids in the past and how these factors are likely to influence the future.…

An inexpensive FM amplification system was developed to enhance auditory learning in classrooms for the hearing impaired. Evaluation indicated that the system equalizes the sound pressure level throughout the room, with the increased sound pressure level falling in the range of 70 to 73 decibels. (Author/DB)

The PAM (Physically Impaired Association of Michigan) Assistance Center is an information clearinghouse and referral service on arrestive devices begun in l979 and staffed by a multidisciplinary team. PAM provides information on availability, cost, and sources of assistive devices , as well as a center for hands-on displays. (CL)

Some forms of assistive device technology are not available to many disabled children or adults because there is not a centralized system to link the technology with those who need it. This hearing explores ways to promote widespread availability of assistive devices. Examined are types of devices, the costs of such devices, methods of…

The manual provides information about the development of auditory communication training for hearing impaired students. Two models of auditory training are reviewed: the Model Secondary School for the Deaf, which posits five areas of training, including awareness, attention, identification/recognition, message analysis, and…

The electroacoustic performance of 18 direct-input and two inductive-coupling hearing aids was compared when operating with two different frequency modulation (FM) systems. The most significant differences occurred in full-on gain, equivalent-input noise, and frequency response, as opposed to high frequency average saturation sound pressure level…