So I have a professor who is hard of hearing. She is teaching one of the classes required for my major. Because she is hard of hearing, I cannot understand her about half the time, especially since I have a learning disability myself and can't always understand everything I hear. I'm not really sure if going to her office hours would really help or not; I'm not sure what I would get out of that since as I just said, I can't always understand her.

I just sent my disabilities counselor here at school an email to meet with him to discuss options for this class and am awaiting his reply.

Is there anything else I can do right now?

I mean, she HAS an interpreter in class, but obviously, I can't just ask her interpreter ''What just happened this whole class?''.

This is frustrating because I cannot understand her questions that she asks in class (I can't answer and participate, which is 25% of my grade!). I don't want to drop and delay my graduation!

Good question. I would either ask for a seat closer to the professor or ask her interpreter for help in what she said. You might want to record the lecture and in a free period,play it back for the professor and interpreter to fill in the blank spots. Now seeing that you have a learning disability you may be eligible for some sort of aid or assistance. Meet with your counselor again and ask what is available.

Oldschool777 : M'kay. I'll try to get to class a little earlier and grab a seat in the front and see if that's better. Thanks.

I hope it works out for you. You also may want to try recording the lecture and play it back later so you get the notes.

Recording lectures isn't such a bad idea. If that doesn't work, you can try to get a note taker to help you out if you have some sort of office for students with disabilities. My school has an office that has a service for students with disabilities and they help them fulfilled their learning needs in order to succeed like private test setting, people to take your notes for you, extended test time, and etc. It may take some paperwork but as long as it helps you succeed, you're all good.

ghostfishy : Its not that Im not a part of my school's disabilities office. I already know them well and have friends there. And Im not sure if I understand the point of recording this class' lectures if all the notes are on Powerpoints & the board & all I try to listen to is the professor asking questions and others answering them....Any insight now?

Record with your smart phone then. That may help you out. Or ask your prof to email the Power Point to you.

Yeah you should change classes as soon as you can. Also asking the interpeter questions isn't a bad thing. That is what they are there for. Also you should find another person in your classroom who takes notes and ask if you can borrow their notes... until you can get swiched over in classes.

Bintsy : Ok thanks. I'll see if I can swap classes without dealing with a stupid fee! And I won't forget about the interpreter & friend.

...am I the only one completely stuck on the idea of there needing to be an interpreter in the class? That sounds like a ridiculously inefficient learning environment. What class is this? Is there some reason this is the only professor that can teach this class? I mean, just like how there's a disability resource center for students, I can understand providing the teacher with some aid to make teaching applicable, but it's just really not the same thing. That's why there's certification and requirements for someone to teach. There are certain expectations. I'm just very curious now of this professor's situation.

Anyways, I know through my DRC there's also an option that would let you obtain notes for the class in advance. Like if you have a printout or something of everything that'll be in lecture / on the PowerPoint, it'll really help you follow along and ask the interpreter appropriate questions. I've been on the receiving end of not understanding a professor's accent, but that's completely different (think I've gotten used to most accents now lol). Best of luck to you, the professor, and the other students lol.