Completed Research Projects
Hearing at 60+ - subjective hearing ability and social, psychological effects
Objective
To study the subjective hearing ability of the 60+ generation and the social and psychological effects of hearing restrictions. Additionally, to determine the extent to which hearing aids and behavioral strategies, as well as sociodemographic factors, can moderate these effects.
Content
• Subjective hearing ability
• Tinnitus
• Coping strategies
• Social effects
• Depression
• Provision and use of hearing aids
• Sociodemographic parameters (age, gender, lifestyle, state of health, occupation)
Methods
Questionnaires; written interviews; self-evaluation scales
The Role of the Visiting Counseling Service (MSD) for the Hearing Impaired
Objective
To address the needs of hearing impaired pupils in mainstream schools via support counseling offered by the MSD.
Content
• Focus on the individual needs of mainstream school pupils with hearing impairment
• Evaluation of the existing MSD counselling service for inclusive education of hearing impaired pupils
• Determination of criteria for a learner-centered counseling service
Methods
• Qualitative interviews
• Questionnaires
Language Development of Hearing Children with HOH/Deaf Parents
Objective
To study the language and emotional development of hearing children of hearing impaired parents between ages 3-6 or 7 years (up to school age)
Content
1. Determination of language development using various standardised test procedures.
2. Evaluation of emotional stability by means of standardised test procedures
3. Evaluation of family and social environment (e.g. educational status of the parents), form of communication, contact with hearing persons
4. Assessment of kindergarten situation (stage of development, behavior) as perceived by the nursery school teacher.
Methods
• Audio precision tests (LUT)
• Articulation tests for preschool children (LBT)
• Language test for pre-school children (KISTE)
• Hamstertest (HAT)
• 3 questionnaires for the parents
• 1 questionnaire for the nursery school teacher
Language Acquisition of CI Children of Deaf Parents
Objective
To evaluate the range of vocabulary in speech and sign language
Content
• Expressive (and partially receptive) vocabulary in speech
• Receptive vocabulary in German sign language
Methods
• Speech tests
• AWST-R/WWT
• PERLESKO
School Integration of Hearing Impaired Pupils: Why do mainstream integrated pupils change to special needs schools for hearing development?
Objective
To highlight various aspects within the whole framework of „Inclusive Education for HOH Children and Adolescents“in more detail
Content
• Reasons for change of school as perceived by:
• the pupils
• parents
• mainstream teachers
• teachers at special needs centers, developmental hearing centers
Methods
Qualitative interviews
School Integration of HOH Children and Adolescents
Objective
To highlight certain aspects within the whole framework of „Inclusive Education for HOH Children and Adolescents“ in more detail
Content
Reasons for change of school
• Integration status as perceived by the pupils'teachers
• Assessment as perceived by hearing peers
• Comparison of the findings with those of HOH pupils
Methods
• Qualitative interviews
• Semi-standardised questionnaires
Integration of Hearing Impaired Children in Mainstream Kindergartens
Objectives
• To assess the degree of language development in HOH pupils attending mainstream kindergartens
• To evaluate the level of integration/ interaction and communication in selected situations at kindergarten
Content
1. Language development in the HOH child
2. Language development in the HOH child throughout kindergarten
3. Language development support (how and by whom?)
4. Language interaction in various daily routine situations at kindergarten
5. Monitoring of verbal interaction
6. Integration status of the HOH child based on parent/ carer assessment
Methods
• Qualitative interviews
• Observation at kindergarten
• Language testing using the SETK 2 and 3-5
Families with Cochlear-Implanted Children and Deaf/HOH (Profoundly) Parents
Objective
To assess the core family dynamics and external support mechanisms
Content
• Special focus on the relationship between the CI child and deaf parents
• Roles/ behavior of individual family members
• Support from family mentors
• Core family communication und interaction
Methods
• Brief questionnaires (compilation of sociographic data)
• Interviews
Experience and Expectations of Parents of Children and Adolescents in Inclusive Education
Objective
To determine why parents of HOH children opt for inclusive education for their children; to record their experience of and expectations for inclusive education
Content
Experience and satisfaction with inclusive education
1. Reasons for choosing inclusive education
2. Expectations and level of fulfilment concerning integration
3. Experience and expectations with regard to learning ability and stress due to learning problems
4. Experience and expectations concerning homework und homework-induced stress
5. Experience and expectations with regard to social integration of the child in class/ school and integration-induced stress
6. Experience, expectations and contentment concerning mainstream school teachers
7. Experience, expectations and contentment concerning collaboration with the specialist teachers of the visiting school service
Methods
Questionnaire forms to be completed by the parents
The Social Situation of the Integrated HOH Pupil
Objective
Assessment of the soial situation and interaction with peers
Content
• Emotional well-being in the classroom
• Sociometric status of the pupils
• Relationship with peers
• Self-concept
Methods
• Questionnaires
• Interviews
Developmental Programs at Early Intervention Centers for HOH Children in Bavaria
Objectives
To describe the methods and procedures (early intervention and the early intervention team operating as an interdisciplinary function) and determine whether the requirements of the organisational system at hand are met or realisable
Content
The research proposal is based on two surveys:
• Module 1:
Survey of educational practice at early intervention centres for HOH children in Bavaria
• Module 2:
Parents' views on the early intervention service
Methods
• Standardized questionnaires
• Qualitative interviews
„Education Article 24“ of the Convention on the Rights of the Disabled and its Consequences for the Education of HOH Children as Perceived by the Education Committee Experts
Objective
Consequences for the education of HOH pupils as perceived by the education committee experts in the light of the requirements of “Education Article 24“, both currently and in the immediate future
Content
• What is the current status of integration/inclusion in the states of Germany?
• How are the requirements of Article 24 of the UN-Convention being implemented in the states of Germany?
Methods
• Analysis of Documents
• Expert interviews
Cochlear-implanted Children of Deaf/ Profoundly HOH Parents
Objectives
To outline the motives of Deaf/profoundly HOH parents for cochlear implantation of their child
To describe the experiences encountered by the parents of cochlear implanted children and the reactions of the parents' social environment
Content
1. Family social environment before and after CI fitting
2. Decision- making process
3. Motives for choosing CI (both parents and children)
4. Family experience of clinics/cochlear implant centres
5. Experience of special needs centers
6. Reactions of the Deaf to families opting for CI
7. Mode of communication in varying situations of family life
8. Developmental support situation
9. Contact with likewise affected families
10. Parents'wishes
Methods
• Qualitative interviews
Basic Identity Strategies for HOH Adolescents in Varying Situations
Objectives
• Basic identity strategies ( on an individual basis) to elicit self-rating, self-concept, identity awareness, coping strategies and identity goals in various aspects of life (family, friends, free time, school/job training)
• Determination of potential typologies concerning life and coping patterns of HOH adolescents
Content
1. Relationships with friends and family
2. Value rating of relationships/ friendships
3. Strategies for conflict situations
4. Self esteem and sense of coherence in various aspects of life
5. Sense of coherence
6. Communicative situations / problems in various aspects of life
7. Feeling of acceptance
8. Communication strategies
9. Self perception/ external perception
10. Self-contentment
11. Coping with the hearing problem in various aspects of life
12. Self awareness of hearing disability
13. Expectations / future goals
Methods
• Qualitative interviews
• Social network card
Didactic Use of Technical Hearing Aids in the Individual Integration of HOH Pupils
Objective
To assess the use of technical hearing aids in inclusive education of pupils with hearing impairment
Content
• Analysis of instruction manuals, knowledge, attitude of teachers at mainstream schools towards the use of technical hearing aids
• Evaluation of the use of FM systems in various teaching situations
• Analysis of variations due to type of school
Methods
Questionnaires