Are you planning on heading back to school? College is an amazing opportunity to expand your horizons and mind, no matter your age. Whether it’s your first time in college or university or you are heading back for continued education, if you have hearing loss, it’s important to take a couple of extra steps to ensure you get the most out of your education.
Learn About Hearing Loss
If you’ve been living with hearing loss for a while you most likely are aware of the communication tips which work best for you. Maintaining eye contact, asking people to face you and be well lit, may allow you to stay more engaged and even rely on lip-reading. Others may benefit from pauses in speech or moments to ask for clarification. Whatever works for you, don’t be afraid to ask for it. You are entitled to a well-rounded education just as much as your contemporaries with normal hearing. You just have to work a bit harder and position yourself to succeed.
Accessing Resources
The beauty of most universities and colleges is that they are prepared for you. There are services in almost every college devoted to supporting students with disabilities. This includes students who are hard of hearing. A cornerstone of disability justice is equal access to education and the resources are there. It’s up to you to take advantage of them. Talk to the dedicated team who is there to assist you in your education and let them know what works for you. Chances are they may have some other supportive features which you may have never tried or considered. This can include talking to text services for taking notes during lectures, the use of telecoil compatible technology in classrooms and captioned media, and even note-takers.
Reach Out to Your Professor
We recommend reaching out to your professors after registering for their classes. Getting a head start on communication around your hearing loss can give professors and staff time to prepare accommodations. Most likely, you are not the first student with a hearing loss that they’ve taught, and they are fully prepared to support you in your educational journey.
Picking the Perfect Seat
Positioning yourself for success starts on the first day of class. If you understand how helpful it is to be able to see a speakers’ face or be able to read their lips, then don’t position yourself in the back of the class. Similarly, avoid sitting next to distracting sounds like a noise AC unit, by a window or hallway. Sit in the front of the class so you can stay focused and engaged throughout the semester.
Talking to Peers
Not everyone chooses to be open about their hearing loss. It’s okay to not disclose your hearing loss but we have experienced many students flourishing when they choose to communicate around their disability. Non-disclosure of hearing loss can lead to confusion between students as you struggle to hear everyday conversations.
However, when students choose to share their hearing loss this opens up an opportunity to share with classmates the most effective ways that help you follow conversation and communicate with greater ease. Most likely, many of your classmates have never had or hard of hearing students in their classes. Being open around your loss allows you to teach others that those with hearing disabilities need extra care to communicate but that are equally capable.
An easy way to start this conversation is to say, “I have a hearing disability however it helps if you face me when you speak”. This discloses your hearing loss and provides a useful tip for improving communication. This will come in handy during class discussions, to allow classmates to help you feel included.
Seeking Treatment
Of course, many people don’t even know they have a hearing loss, as it commonly goes undiagnosed for years. A hearing loss can occur at any time and at any age. If you are embarking on a new school year, it can’t hurt to understand the extent of a suspected hearing loss ahead of time. We can help you discover how hearing aids can help you be the most prepared to have a successful school year. Contact us today!