Your Child’s Journey: An Ohio Guide for Deaf or Hard of Hearing Support
Medical Diagnosis vs. Educational Eligibility
I have a diagnosis from my medical provider, what does that mean for school?
- A diagnosis of a hearing condition does not guarantee special education services.
- A disability under IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) must impact a child's learning.
- A school district is not qualified to diagnose.
Medical Diagnosis
- Does not have to affect school performance in order for medical professionals to diagnose.
- Are considered ongoing unless symptoms change and then the diagnosis can change.
- Health care is recommended due to the needs of the child and addresses medical/health concerns.
- Health care professionals, such as an audiologist, will perform an evaluation to determine a clinical diagnosis.
| Clinical Diagnosis | School Identification | |
|---|---|---|
| What it refers to | A medical condition (including deafness) or speech or language disorder. | A Hearing loss or hearing condition that is identified after a school evaluation. |
| Who makes the determination | A healthcare professional, such as an audiologist. | An Evaluation team at school which likely includes a speech language pathologist, audiologist, and a teacher of the deaf. |
*The information provided in this table is for general informational purposes only and should not be considered as legal advice.
What is Educational Eligibility
“Specially designed instruction at no cost to the parents. To meet the unique needs of a child with a disability, including instruction conducted in the classroom, in the home, in hospitals, and in institutions, and other settings and instruction in physical education.”
The three prongs of special education:
- Does the student have, or do you suspect, a disability?
- Does the hearing condition negatively affect the student's educational performance?
- Does the student require specially designed instruction?
What should I do if I suspect a Hearing condition that requires special education?
- Write a letter to the principal of the school where their child attends and share their concerns of why they suspect their child may have a disability.
Adapted from OCECD’s “Tip Sheets.” Info graphic.) Retrieved April 22, 2025: Medical Vs Educational Tip Sheet