Practice Standards & Resources

Amplification & Hearing Technology

Personal amplification, remote-microphone systems, classroom audio distribution, implantable devices, and assessment of hearing technology in school settings.

Three Resources to Look at First

Position Statement

Hearing Access Technology

EAA's foundational position on the role of hearing technology in school access.

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EAA Infographic

A Team Approach to Hearing Assistive Technology

Visual summary of how teams collaborate on HAT — perfect for school staff.

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EAA Resource Members Only

Assessment for RM-HAT

EAA member guidance on assessing students for remote-microphone HAT. Log in to access.

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Key Points at a Glance

Devices Are Tools, Not Solutions

Even the best hearing technology requires fitting, verification, monitoring, and support to actually help.

RM-HAT Improves Access

Remote-microphone hearing assistive technology delivers a clean signal where it matters: at the student's ear.

Verification and Validation Matter

Systematic measurement is the only way to know technology is working for the student.

Special Populations, Custom Plans

UHL, mild loss, SSD, and ASD all warrant tailored technology decisions.

EAA Position Statements and Standards

Note: Hearing Access Technology and Hearing Assistive Technology are used interchangeably across EAA, ASHA, and related resources — both terms refer to the same set of technologies covered on this page.

POSITION STATEMENT

Hearing Access Technology

Foundational EAA position statement on hearing technology in schools.

POSITION STATEMENT

Over the Counter Hearing Aids

EAA's position on OTC hearing aids and the school context.

EAA Practical Tools & Resources

INFOGRAPHIC

A Team Approach to Hearing Assistive Technology

Visual summary of team roles in HAT decisions.

INFOGRAPHIC

Remote Microphone HAT for Education

Visual primer on RM-HAT for school audiences.

EAA RESOURCE MEMBERS ONLY

Classroom Audio Distribution Systems

Member guidance on CADS implementation. Log in to access.

EAA RESOURCE MEMBERS ONLY

Educational Audiologists and Implantable Hearing Devices

Member guidance on cochlear implants and BAHA in schools. Log in to access.

EAA RESOURCE MEMBERS ONLY

Educational Audiology Assessment for RM-HAT

Step-by-step assessment guidance for RM-HAT decisions. Log in to access.

EAA RESOURCE MEMBERS ONLY

Minimal, Mild & Unilateral Hearing Loss / SSD

Member guidance on often-overlooked populations. Log in to access.

EAA RESOURCE MEMBERS ONLY

RM-HAT for Students with Normal Peripheral Hearing

When and how to use RM-HAT for non-D/HH students. Log in to access.

Educational Audiology Handbook book cover

Foundational Reference

Educational Audiology Handbook

Johnson & Seaton · Plural Publishing — the comprehensive reference for school-based audiology practice. The foundational text behind nearly every topic on this page.

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Forms & Appendices for This Topic

Customizable forms, protocols, and checklists from the Handbook. See the textbook for full content.

Chapter 8 — Hearing Instruments & Remote Microphone Technologies

  • Appendix 8–A — Situational Observation of Listening: Use of Amplification
  • Appendix 8–B — Personal Amplification Monitoring Plan
  • Appendix 8–C — Instructions for Hearing Aid Checks
  • Appendix 8–D — Instructions for Cochlear Implant Checks
  • Appendix 8–E — Instructions for Osseointegrated Bone-Conduction Implant Checks
  • Appendix 8–F — Instructions for Personal Remote Microphone System Checks
  • Appendix 8–G — Hearing Technology Monitoring Chart
  • Appendix 8–H — Ling Sound Checks
  • Appendix 8–I — Tips to Enhance Remote Microphone Use
  • Appendix 8–J — RM-HAT Implementation Worksheet: In-School Form
  • Appendix 8–K — RM-HAT Implementation Worksheet: Out-of-School Form
  • Appendix 8–L — The SETT Framework to Identify Assistive Technology and Access Services for Students Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

EAA Research & Evidence

Peer-reviewed articles from the Journal of Educational, Pediatric & (Re)Habilitative Audiology.

JEPRA

A Critical Review of Remote-Microphone Technology for Children

Schafer, Florence, Anderson, Dyson, Wright, Sanders, & Bryant

JEPRA

Evaluation of a Dual Adaptive Remote Microphone System

Wolfe, Neumann, Schafer, Towler, Miller, Dunn, Jones, & Nelson

JEPRA

Verification and Validation of RM Technology in Children with ASD

Schafer, Gopal, Mathews, Kaiser, Canale, & Creech

External Resources

External links are informational and not endorsements.

EXTERNAL · AAA

AAA Clinical Practice Guidelines

Index of AAA guidelines, including the pediatric amplification clinical practice guideline.

EXTERNAL · HEARING FIRST

Hearing First

Listening and spoken language resources for families and professionals.

EXTERNAL · HLAA

HLAA — Hearing Assistive Technology

Consumer-friendly framing of hearing technology — useful for families.

Technology That Works

EAA equips educational audiologists to fit, verify, validate, and advocate for the right tools for every student.

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Members-Only Discussion

In the EAA Community

EAA members are talking about amplification and hearing technology on the listserv. Recent threads include discussions about:

  • HAT verification practice — Verifit 2 setups, transparency checks, portable alternatives
  • Cleaning and sanitization protocols for hearing aids, CIs, and Roger products
  • Connectivity tips and quick-start guides — ConnectClip, TopCat MC, wireless mic + speech-to-text
  • Accessories and adaptations — bike helmets for CI users, BAHA winter hats, hearing aid covers, SignGlasses, bed shakers
  • Solutions for specific populations — Roger and EduMic adaptations for Down syndrome students, amplified stethoscopes for HA/CI users
  • FM travel kits and equipment maintenance for itinerant audiologists

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Related Topics

Classroom Acoustics ›

Tech and acoustics work together for access.

Assessment & Evaluation ›

Assessment that informs technology decisions.

Student & Family Support ›

Counseling on technology use, care, and identity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between RM-HAT and CADS?

RM-HAT delivers the teacher's voice directly to a specific student's hearing device. CADS amplifies the teacher's voice for the whole class via speakers. They serve different needs and can be used together.

When should RM-HAT be used for normal-hearing students?

For students with auditory processing differences, attention concerns, or specific listening needs that aren't fully addressed by typical classroom amplification. EAA's member resource walks through case selection.

How do I verify RM-HAT performance in classrooms?

Real-ear measurement plus behavioral validation in the actual learning environment. Verification ensures the signal is correct; validation ensures it's making a difference for the student.

What's the EdAuD's role with implantable devices?

Educational audiologists coordinate with the implant team, ensure equipment is functioning daily, train school staff on troubleshooting, and connect device performance to classroom access decisions.

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