Music for the deaf

Comprehensive view of deafness

Noise level chart
Hearing loss / deaf categories

Whisper, soft music, leaves rustling, pin drop

Bird song, library interior, home noise

Quiet office interior, moderate rainfall

Typical conversation, background music, ring tone

Urban street, loud singing, heavy traffic sound

Subway, shouted conversation, thunder, crying baby

Types of hearing loss

u Conductive hearing loss

u Caused by blockage, rupture in the outer ear

u Sensorineural hearing loss

u Caused by damage in cochlear / missing cochlear
in the inner ear

u Mix hearing loss

Language of communication

u Sign Language
u 144 Sign languages around the world
u American Sign Language (ASL), Pidgin Signed English /Signed English (PSE), Signing
Exact English (SEE)
u Australian Sign Language (AUSLAN), Chinese Sign Language ….
u Lip Reading
u use to communicate with hearing community
u Best if both share the same first language
u Confusing word : “mop, pop” “flower, flour”
Public School or Deaf School
u Academic standard/ classes/ curriculum
u Public school setting: has more variety and higher academic standard
u More likely to get accepted by colleges / universities

u Deaf school setting: may varied depending on the school

u Classes are flexible enough to accommodate each of the deaf students

u Socializing Opportunity
u Public school setting: able to socialize both hearing and deaf students, might feel left out
u Deaf school setting: only deaf students, less chance to feel lonely
u Language of communication
u Public school setting: verbal communication
u Deaf school setting: Sign languages
u Interpreter / assistant
u Extra preparation for class
How do deaf learn and feel music?

u Visual
u Written out rhythm notation
u Vibration
u Felt all over the body
u Sense of Touch (hands and though their body)
Musical activities for deaf students

u Song signing
u Need conductor to provide cue
u Find songs that are relevant to deaf students, they can relate to
u Interpret the song before working on the signing activity
u Dance
u Express themselves through movements
u Provide visual instructions / finger-counting instructions
u Provide mirror to check on themselves regularly
u Body Percussion
u Feel the beat on their body
u Express their creativity through their body
u Improve concentration and social interaction
Teaching tips for music teacher
u Reduce background noise level
u Close open window, put carpet or cushion
u Seating position
u Closer to the teacher/ conductor/ better view of everyone in the band
u Visual displays
u Overhead projector, white board, written out instruction
u Avoid moving around while talking
u Stand in a bright spot, so they can see you or lip read
u Frequent breaks in between lesson
u Exhausted, trying to catch up and listen for instructions
u Use of microphone in class
u Hear instruction better
u Start with emphasis on beat and rhythm
u For choir/band/ learning a new piece of music
u Keep a journal log/ record about students progress
u Keep parents update and provide necessary guidance
u Learn sign languages
u Better communication
Impact of music learning in deaf
students
u Increase verbal memory, speech awareness
u Deaf students who undergo music training tend to have a larger left temporal lobe which
is in charge of deliver speech and verbal memory
u When deaf recognize pitches, duration, timbre in music, it resemble spoken language
u If deaf can recognize and differentiate these music element, it can help them learn the
prosodic element of the spoken language –convenient for lip reading / speech theraphy
u Increase self confidence
u Sense of belonging, where they can communicate with both hearing and deaf community,
work with different people
u Promote team work and cooperation
u Ensemble playing, choir, band
Bibliography

u YouTube. Sensorineural Hearing Loss Occurs In The Cochlea | MED-EL.

Video, 2012.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EfzvT_WR0x4&feature=youtu.be.
u Conductive Hearing Loss Explained | MED-EL. Video, 2012.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QE1AyH-uq9s&feature=youtu.be.