Hi All, I'm taking this course which is fantastic! It's out of Vancouver, BC, Canada - but thanks to the pandemic, is now offered on Zoom with readings available online. It will be offered again starting in September. 1.5 hour class, once per week, x 12 weeks. Lots of great topics and discussion - lip reading, getting assertive to optimize communication, travel tips, technology, hearing aids & batteries info, coping with challenging hearing environments, speech-to-text apps, apps that let you share which restaurants etc are best for hearing well... She offers an afternoon class, and an evening class. It's very flexible - if you can't make your regular time slot, you can pop into the other one. Vancouver Community College www.vcc.ca I'm happy to answer any questions, and/or pass them on to the teacher.
Here's the outline for the Level 1 Course: Week 1 Introductions What is speechreading? Advantages and limitations Homophenous sounds Familiar phrases Guidelines for practice Communication Identifying problem situations Week 2 How we hear Audiograms Hearing loss simulations Homonphenous sounds: P B M Websites for practice Relaxation exercises Hearing and remembering names Optional bonus topic: COVID-related issues Week 3 Focus on restaurants Strategies in a restaurant setting Where to sit? Speechreading in a restaurant setting Homonphenous sounds: F V Websites for practice Hearing loss, communication, and social/emotional factors Week 4 Telephone solutions Introduction to Hearing Accessibility Technology (HAT) Homonphenous sounds: W WH Websites for practice Non-specific and specific repair strategies Optional bonus topic: Speech-to-text support Week 5 Alternative alphabets Factors that impact the process of speechreading: Environment Homonphenous sounds: R Websites for practice Facial expressions and body language Week 6 Factors that impact the process of speechreading: Speaker Introduction to types of behaviour Homonphenous sounds: TH Websites for practice "Nevermind" scenario Optional bonus topic: Hearing aid batteries, rechargeable batteries, and dry aid kits Week 7 Factors that impact the process of speechreading: Listener Homonphenous sounds: SH CH J Websites for practice Assertiveness Advantages of being hard of hearing Optional bonus topic: Stress and stress management Week 8 Factors that impact the process of speechreading: Message Topic change gambits Jokes Homonphenous sounds: S Z Websites for practice Talking with children Week 9 Dealing with difficult people and situations Homonphenous sounds: T D N L and K G -ng Websites for practice Conversation repair Travel Incorporating humour Optional bonus topic: Tinnitus Week 10 Lipreading vowels Websites for practice Common mishearings Analyzing typical conversations Realistic expectations Optional bonus topic: ototoxicity Week 11 Course review Week 12 Interesting sources of information Fun activities and applications of lessons Course evaluation and self-assessment