Documentation Guidelines for Deaf / Hard of Hearing

Physicians, including otorhinolaryngologists and otologists are qualified to provide diagnosis and treatment of hearing disorders. Audiologists may also provide current audiograms. The diagnostician must be an impartial individual who is not a family member of the student.

The following documentation requirements will assist the service provider in collaborating with each student to determine appropriate accommodations. Documentation serves as the foundation that supports a student's request for appropriate accommodations. Recommended documentation includes all of the following:

1. An audiogram accompanied by a clear statement of deafness or hearing loss that reflects the current impact on the student's functioning, (the age of acceptable documentation is dependant upon the condition, the current status of the student, and the student's request for accommodations);
   
   
2. Medical information relating to the student's needs, the status of the individual's hearing (static or changing), and its impact on the demands of the postsecondary environment;
   
   
3. A statement regarding the use of hearing aids and/or cochlear implants (if appropriate);
   
   
4. A description of the functional impacts or limitations of the hearing loss on learning or other major life activity and the degree to which it impacts the individual in the learning context for which accommodations are being requested.

Further assessment by an appropriate professional may be required if co-existing learning disabilities or other disabling conditions are indicated. The student and the Disability Access Services staff at Aims Community College will collaborate regarding accommodations with the final decision made by the disability specialist.