Education of Individuals with Hearing Impairments: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Prepared for careers dedicated to supporting learners with hearing impairments, this program equips professionals with the expertise to design and deliver effective educational interventions for individuals whose hearing loss significantly impacts academic achievement. Emphasis is placed on inclusive teaching strategies, individualized instruction, and navigating the legal and ethical frameworks that govern special education services.
- Identification and Assessment of Hearing Impairments: Training in recognizing signs of hearing loss across age groups, utilizing diagnostic tools, and collaborating with audiologists to determine educational needs.
- Individualized Education Planning (IEP): Developing customized learning plans that align with student goals, legal requirements, and multidisciplinary input to ensure academic progress.
- Instructional Strategies for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Learners: Mastery of specialized teaching methods, including sign language, auditory-verbal techniques, and visual learning supports tailored to diverse communication needs.
- Classroom Management and Supervision: Techniques for creating accessible learning environments, managing diverse learning styles, and fostering independence in students with hearing loss.
- Student Counseling and Social-Emotional Support: Addressing the psychological and developmental challenges associated with hearing impairment, promoting self-advocacy, and supporting identity development.
- Special Education Law and Policy: In-depth study of federal and state regulations, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), to ensure compliance and equitable access to education.
Education of Individuals with Hearing Impairments Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Education of Individuals with Hearing Impairments Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Education of Individuals with Hearing Impairments degrees, including Special Education Teachers, Secondary School, Special Education Teachers, All Other and Special Education Teachers, Middle School. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 379,020 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Special Education Teachers, Secondary School 25-2058 | $69,590 | $47,930 - $106,050 | 162,780 | N/A |
| Special Education Teachers, All Other 25-2059 | $67,430 | $43,220 - $109,360 | 39,350 | N/A |
| Special Education Teachers, Middle School 25-2057 | $64,880 | $48,070 - $102,730 | 95,330 | N/A |
| Special Education Teachers, Preschool 25-2051 | $62,190 | $38,740 - $132,530 | 28,200 | N/A |
| Interpreters and Translators 27-3091 | $59,440 | $35,630 - $99,830 | 53,360 | $28.58 |
Education of Individuals with Hearing Impairments Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $45,548 in Mississippi to $98,844 in New York—a 117% difference. The highest-paying states include New York, District of Columbia, and California. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 379,020 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Education of Individuals with Hearing Impairments by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 30 institutions offering Education of Individuals with Hearing Impairments programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Education of Individuals with Hearing Impairments is found at University of Cincinnati (UC), Main Campus (73 graduates), Miami Dade College (MDC) (29 graduates), McDaniel College (22 graduates), Gallaudet University (16 graduates), and Fontbonne University (15 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 304 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Cincinnati (UC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
73 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | uc.edu |
| Miami Dade College (MDC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
29 | Miami, Florida | Public | mdc.edu |
| McDaniel College |
Master's
|
22 | Westminster, Maryland | Private | mcdaniel.edu |
| Gallaudet University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
16 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | gallaudet.edu |
| Fontbonne University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
15 | Saint Louis, Missouri | Private | fontbonne.edu |
| Texas Woman's University (TWU) |
Master's
|
13 | Denton, Texas | Public | twu.edu |
| Oakland Community College (OCC) |
Associate's
|
12 | Auburn Hills, Michigan | Public | oaklandcc.edu |
| University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) |
Bachelor's
|
10 | Greensboro, North Carolina | Public | uncg.edu |
| Western Oregon University (WOU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
10 | Monmouth, Oregon | Public | wou.edu |
| Flagler College (Flagler) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
9 | Saint Augustine, Florida | Private | flagler.edu |
| College of Southern Nevada (CSN) |
Associate's
|
9 | Las Vegas, Nevada | Public | csn.edu |
| University of North Florida (UNF) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
|
8 | Jacksonville, Florida | Public | unf.edu |
| The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Ewing, New Jersey | Public | tcnj.edu |
| Iona University |
Postbac Cert.
|
8 | New Rochelle, New York | Private | iona.edu |
| The University of Texas Health Science Center |
Master's
|
7 | San Antonio, Texas | Public | uthscsa.edu |
| Teachers College at Columbia University (TC) |
Master's
|
6 | New York, New York | Private | tc.columbia.edu |
| Lamar University (LU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
6 | Beaumont, Texas | Public | lamar.edu |
| California State University |
Master's
|
5 | Fresno, California | Public | fresnostate.edu |
| Boston University (BU) |
Master's
|
5 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | bu.edu |
| Idaho State University (ISU) |
Master's
|
4 | Pocatello, Idaho | Public | isu.edu |
| CUNY Hunter College |
Master's
|
4 | New York, New York | Public | hunter.cuny.edu |
| University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (USAO) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Chickasha, Oklahoma | Public | usao.edu |
| Vanderbilt University (VU) |
Master's
|
4 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | vanderbilt.edu |
| Utah Valley University (UVU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Orem, Utah | Public | uvu.edu |
| Ball State University (BSU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Muncie, Indiana | Public | bsu.edu |
| Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Richmond, Kentucky | Public | eku.edu |
| Converse University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Spartanburg, South Carolina | Private | converse.edu |
| Florida State College (FSCJ) |
Associate's
|
2 | Jacksonville, Florida | Public | fscj.edu |
| Southeastern University (SEU) |
Other Award
|
1 | Lakeland, Florida | Private | seu.edu |
| Texas Christian University (TCU) |
Master's
|
1 | Fort Worth, Texas | Private | tcu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Education of Individuals with Hearing Impairments programs
How much can I earn with a Education of Individuals with Hearing Impairments degree?
Salaries for Education of Individuals with Hearing Impairments graduates vary by role and location. Special Education Teachers, Secondary School earn a median of $69,590 annually, while Special Education Teachers, All Other earn around $67,430. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in New York average $98,844 compared to $45,548 in Mississippi. Approximately 379,020 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Education of Individuals with Hearing Impairments programs?
Currently 30 accredited institutions offer Education of Individuals with Hearing Impairments degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of Cincinnati (UC), Main Campus (73 graduates), Miami Dade College (MDC) (29 graduates), and McDaniel College (22 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Education of Individuals with Hearing Impairments growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have decreased over the past decade, rising from 361 in 2010 to a peak of 392 in 2020, before declining slightly to 304 in 2023-24. This represents a 16% decrease overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with consistent demand, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Education of Individuals with Hearing Impairments degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Special Education Teachers, Secondary School, Special Education Teachers, All Other, and Special Education Teachers, Middle School. Related occupations employ approximately 379,020 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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