MESHGuides

Although the research is limited in the field of autism and deafness we have set out articles relating to discrete deafness, discrete autism and the comorbidity of autism and deafness.

This MESHGuide is for all those looking for, and needing, information on children and young people with a diagnosis of Autism and deafness.  Currently (2022), the limited information that exists is spread across many platforms.  This MESHGuide collects together, in one place, a range of informative documents and useful links for professionals and families.

There are various online forums for QToDs, allied professionals and parents of deaf children, in the UK and other parts of the world.  BATOD manages an email forum for professionals linked to Deaf Education. The Scottish Sensory Centre (SSC) manages a Scottish=specific email forum for professionals.

Research on achieving effective connectivity of assistive listening devices with other assistive technologies. 

Deafness affects children and young people's access to education all over the world.  We have strived to remain unbiased against any one make or type of system, and tried to provide a range of evidence from across the range of devices and manufacturers.  We welcome further case studies, using any system and device.  Please send these to  exec@batod.org.uk. Please also include areas you would like researched.

The collected information and advice are intended to encourage and provide evidence for the provision of the use of assistive listening devices for all deaf children and young people.

Although there are difficulties worldwide, regarding financial constraints, availability and sustainability of technology, the evidence shows that hearing devices alone are not giving full access to speech intelligibility for deaf CYP.  Whatever device or system is used, the basic principles are the same.

There is collective research, knowledge and practice from ALTWG, BATOD, BAEA members, and others involved in deaf education, in the UK and throughout the world, showing the benefit of assistive listening technology.  Advances in technology have helped to overcome the problems of listening to speech in background noise and at a distance.  The evidence presented shows how this has improved the access to speech for deaf CYP.

Assistive Listening Devices and remote microphone technology can be used in conjunction with a Soundfield System.  The teacher uses the soundfield microphone and the transmitter is connected into the soundfield.  The sound is rebroadcast from the soundfield through the transmitter to the hearing device used by the CYP.

The Quality Standards for the use of personal radio aids QS12 states that:

Any deaf CYP should be considered a candidate for an assistive listening device.

The Quality Standards for the use of personal radio aids

Quality Standards 1 (QS1) states: