The Hearing Matters Podcast: Hearing Aids, Hearing Technology and Tinnitus How to Get a 504 Plan for Your Child With Hearing Loss
If your child has hearing loss, good grades do not always mean they have full access at school. In this episode, Dana Ann Hawkins, MS, CCC-SLP, shares her family’s real-life journey navigating a Section 504 plan for her daughter after getting hearing aids.
We break down what a 504 plan for hearing loss actually is, how it differs from an IEP, and why schools sometimes wrongly deny accommodations when a child appears to be doing “just fine” academically. Dana walks through the exact school accommodations that can make a difference for children with hearing loss, including preferential seating, teachers facing students when speaking, repeated directions, classroom audio support, and testing accommodations.
You’ll also hear what happened when Dana was initially told hearing loss was not a qualifying medical condition, how she advocated effectively through documentation and email, and why even approved 504 plans can still fail without proper follow-through.
This episode is essential for:
- parents of children with hearing loss
- parents navigating school accommodations
- educators and school administrators
- speech-language pathologists
- pediatric audiologists
- disability advocates
Topics covered:
- how to get a 504 plan for hearing loss
- school accommodations for kids with hearing aids
- hearing loss and classroom access
- Section 504 rights for students
- standardized testing accommodations
- Bluetooth streaming and classroom technology challenges
If you are trying to make sure your child has equal access in the classroom, this episode offers practical advice, advocacy tips, and real-world insight to help you navigate the process with confidence.
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