Standing proudly in front of their students, National Education Association member teachers Barbara Nitschneider and Dorothy Noga are setting high standards and are role models for expanding the roles of teachers needing voice amplifiers because of speech impairments.

In one hand, Nitschneider is seen daily by her students holding a microphone in front of her mouth while her other hand is busy writing on the blackboard or performing another task.

Noga's students see her standing in front of a podium, with the amplifier attached to it, speaking to them. And there are times when they see it on a strap over her shoulder as she walks up and down the aisles during tests.

Students in both schools also see these two teachers in the hallways or in other localities using their amplifiers as they talk to other students, teachers, parents, visitors, administrators.

When they speak to their students in their classrooms, Nitschneiders's and Noga's voices are clearly and loudly amplified so even the students sitting the farthest away from them can hear them clearly. The two teachers firmly believe that voice amplifiers are unique teaching tools. They are supported in their beliefs by other teachers, administrators and teachers.

"I have been using voice amplification assistive devices for nearly 15 years ever since I had my larynx removed because of cancer. I was 27 then. I would not be teaching today if I didn't have this product. My voice is not strong enough to be heard by any students who are beyond two or three feet of my voice. This product saved my life," says Nitschneider. She teaches 20 second grade students at School District 15 in Palatine, Illinois.

Noga teaches 30 students in the fourth grade at Grant Elementary in Willoughby, Ohio. She says, "For two years the Voicette that I have been using has been an excellent speaking tool for me. In fact, it has been a boon, especially since it is saving my voice. Another boon to me is it is making teaching less taxing for me physically."

Nitschneider also uses the Voicette, a lightweight, portable, economic address system. It and other portable amplifying systems are used by people with weak voices - esophageal speakers, people with partially paralyzed vocal cords, throat nodules, or any condition limiting chest muscle strength or lung capacity that cuts voice volume or makes speaking tiring.

"Voice amplifiers are particularly useful for school teachers, school administrators and other people in the teaching profession with weak voices who must make themselves heard. There are many teachers in the country using some sort of amplification products, and many who might benefit from some sort of amplification products," says Tom Lennox, President of Luminaud, Inc., Mentor, Ohio. His company sells a number of voice amplification products, including the Voicette.

Other places where teachers can use voice amplifiers are lecture halls, speech therapy clinics, swim meets, track meets, football games (Nitschneider knows a football coach in Palatine who uses a voice amplifier), field trips, rallies. Noga uses hers at meetings.

"These products are often lightweight and very portable. Mine weighs less than two pounds and is very versatile. In addition to the microphone, the contents include the speaker in a leather case with a belt loop and a 42 inch should strap that snaps on and off. There is also a built-in storage pocket for the microphone," says Nitschneider. The Voicette also comes with a battery charger.

The amplifiers are affordable. (The 1998 price for a Voicette, including the regular hand-held mic and battery charger, is $195.00.)

Noga says she started using an amplifier two years ago on the advice of a speech therapist at the Cleveland Clinic. For a number of years when she started teaching school in September her voice bothered her. For a while she thought it was cold that came on during the same time each year. Finally, when the irritation did not leave, she went to the clinic. A therapist discovered a "little bit of space" between her vocal cords where they should come together. Since the space was causing her to strain her voice, the therapist recommended that she use an amplifier to reduce the strain.

On the advice of her principal, Noga initially tried a lapel microphone. However, it was not strong enough to carry her voice the length of the classroom, and often noises from the loudspeaker system interfered with it, sometimes producing a static feedback. Therefore, she went to another type of voice amplifier.

"For two years I have been using this amplifier. Since I started using it, I do not have a raspy feeling in my throat, and my voice does not feel tired after a long day of teaching," says Noga.

They believe there are situations where teachers without voice problem can use portable amplifiers. A few of them are rallies and when speaking from a platform in an auditorium.

Noga and Nitschneider share similar experiences regarding their students attitudes on the amplifiers. They have never seen them make a fuss over them beyond the first classroom day. During the first day, the teachers say, the students are enamored by the amplifiers. Afterwards, the students accept it and see it as part of the teacher's appearance in the same way they view their extra accessories (such as portable radios) as part of themselves.

Noga loves telling the story of how one of her students told his grandfather about the portable amplifier. His grandfather was having trouble speaking. Noga was contacted for the name, address and telephone number of the manufacturer, which she promptly gave. Later when she heard that a unit had been purchased she was pleased that she could help and that her student had the foresight to talk about the product at home.

"In our own way, we are educating students and other teachers on the benefits of voice amplifiers for anyone who needs them," says Nitschneider. By "anyone" she means students as well as teachers. "I am glad we are contributing to this education. It makes it easier for our students to understand that just because a person is handicapped it does not mean they can't do the job."

The two teachers only use their amplifiers when they are teaching and for school related events and meetings. Outside of school, they do not use them - they do not want to draw attention to themselves and both are able to communicate adequately in most parts of their non-professional lives without the amplifiers.

For the two teachers, the greater part of their Mondays through Fridays are spent teaching. The amplifiers meet their needs during these crucial periods. That is what is most important to them.

Both teachers worry that they occasionally drop the microphone or bang it against blackboard, podium or door, it won't work when they pick it up. It's sturdiness, however, impresses them and they are thankful it is sturdy.

For Nitschneider another drawback is she only has one hand free when she uses it. This makes teaching a little more difficult. (Note: since this article was written, several types of hands-free mics have become available. 1998 prices for Voicettes with one of the various hands-free mics range from $225 to $285.)

Both teachers believe there are more pluses than minuses with the amplifiers. Noga does not have to keep going back to the Cleveland Clinic for treatment. Nitschneider would not be teaching without it. Both would recommend the product to others - they are very pleased to have their Voicettes.

"After I had my operation, I had to learn to speak all over again using esophageal speech. It took me six months to accomplish that goal and five years to reach the level of speech where I am now. I love this amplifier," says Nitschneider.

It took Noga two months before she felt comfortable using her amplifier, and now she loves it.

"Voice amplifiers provide users with increased opportunities to express themselves. Expressing themselves is important to their well being and their independence. This opportunity is especially valuable to teachers," says Lennox.

*John Williams is the author of hundreds of articles on the benefits of technology to aid disabled people. His is also the publisher and editor of Special and Individual Needs Technology (SAINT), a monthly consumer newsletter informing disabled and elderly people of the benefits of technology to them.

NOTE: Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, Voice Amplifiers are usually considered very reasonable accommodation for teachers with voice volume problems. In general, schools should be willing to provide them for teachers who need them. Also, several recent studies have indicated that classroom amplification is beneficial to both students and teachers, even if there are no special voice problems, so more and more schools are considering adding this type of equipment. As well as the Voicette, Luminaud has several other versatile equipment choices with many options - wireless mics, hands-free mics, line power or battery power, multi-channel, music quality, speaker stands, etc. - for full classroom and A/V equipment amplification - for field trips, playground, band practice, gymnasium, natatorium, emergency situations - and for auditorium and athletic field applications with groups up to 5,000,

For additional information on voice volume problems and treatments, contact a physician, speech pathologist, rehabilitation counselor or technology center. For information on amplification equipment, contact Luminaud, Inc., at the address and phone numbers below.