Physicians, including otorhinolaryngologists and otologists, are qualified to provide diagnosis and treatment of hearing disorders. Audiologists may also provide current audiograms. The diagnostician should be an impartial individual who is not a family member of the student.

The following guidelines are provided to assist the Disability Services Director in collaborating with each student to determine appropriate accommodations. Documentation serves as the foundation that legitimizes a student’s request for appropriate accommodations. Recommended documentation includes:

1. A clear statement of Deafness or hearing loss, with a current audiogram (the age of acceptable documentation is dependant upon the condition, the current status of the student, and the student’s request for accommodations);
2. A summary of assessment procedures and evaluation instruments used to make the diagnosis and a narrative summary of evaluation results, if appropriate;
3. Medical information relating to the student’s needs and the status of the individual’s hearing (static or changing) and its impact on the demands of the academic program;
4. A statement regarding the use of hearing aids (if appropriate);

Further assessment by an appropriate professional may be required if co-existing learning disabilities or other disabling conditions are indicated. The student and the UM-Helena Disability Services Director collaboratively determine appropriate accommodations.