Victoria’s Top Tips for Back-to-School

Hi, I’m Victoria, and I’m a 10th grader from Wisconsin. I have sensorineural hearing loss and use a Roger Focus FM and a wireless receiver at school. Last year as a freshman, I learned a lot about transitioning from middle school to high school, especially when it comes to self-advocacy skills, and I’d love to share my tips with you!

Communication with Teachers

I am grateful that my teacher of the deaf and educational audiologist will meet with my teachers to discuss my needs and technology. Even so, I like to make sure to advocate for myself as well.

• In the beginning of the school year, I introduce myself to all of my different teachers and let them know that sitting in the front of the classroom is helpful to me.

• I will ask them to call my name, or the name of the student they’re speaking to. This assures that they have my attention and makes it clear who is speaking.

• I’ll explain how the teacher repeating the student’s answer will help make learning easier in case I didn’t catch the whole message the first time.

Communication with (New) Friends

Every time you go through a transition such as a new school, you can prepare to explain your hearing loss and needs to new people, including your peers.

• Be confident when explaining your communication needs and hearing technology—most people are interested in learning about it.

• Be clear with others about what you need. For example, field trips can be noisy and chaotic. If you’re taking a bus, choose a seat that will be best for you to hear, and ask a friend to sit on your preferred listening side so you can chat easily.

• Let friends know that you appreciate them repeating things for you when needed. A true friend will be happy to help.

Understanding Your Hearing Technology

Whether you use hearing aids, cochlear implants, or assistive technology, it is really important that you become the “expert” of your hearing technology.

• Know how to turn your device on and off, adjust the volume, and charge it or change the batteries, so that you can build your confidence and teach others as well.

• Understand and use special features of your technology. For example, my FM system has oscillation capabilities that change when the system is worn by an individual or used in a group environment.

• Although it can be hard to ask teachers and students to use and pass the FM microphone, I know that it helps me hear a lot better in classes, especially when it’s really loud or we have group work, so that I don’t miss important information.

What are your best back-to-school self-advocacy tips that you would add to this list? Write to us: info@hearingourway.com.