How to Get a 504 Plan for Your Child With Hearing Loss

Send us Fan MailIf 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.Subscribe to Hearing Matters for more conversations on pediatric hearing loss, hearing aids, advocacy, and hearing healthcare. If this episode helped you, please share it with another parent or educator and leave a review.Connect with the Hearing Matters Podcast TeamEmail: [email protected] Instagram: @hearing_matters_podcast Facebook: Hearing Matters Podcast