Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Documentation Guidelines for Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Evaluator Qualifications

Physicians, including otorhinolaryngologists (ear, nose, and throat specialists) and otologists (the branch of medicine that deals with the structure, function, and pathology of the ear), are qualified to provide diagnosis and treatment of hearing disorders. Audiologists may also provide current audiograms.

Current Documentation

The age of acceptable documentation is dependent on the condition, the current status of the student, and the student’s request for accommodations.

Comprehensive Documentation

For the documentation to be comprehensive, it must:

1. Provide a clear statement of deafness or hearing loss and include an audiogram that reflects the current impact that the deafness or hearing loss has on the student’s functioning;
2. Include a summary of assessment procedures and evaluation instruments used to make the diagnosis and a narrative summary of the evaluation results, if appropriate;
3. Describe the assistive devices/services currently prescribed or in use, including the possible effectiveness of these devices or services in an educational setting;
4. Describe the expected progression or stability of the hearing loss over time;
5. Discuss how the disability has an impact on the student in the academic environment; and
6. Include recommended accommodations explaining the need for each as it relates to the functional impact or limitations of the disability on learning or other major life activities.