Hearing loss affects an estimated 48 million people in the United States, and this includes people of all ages. Once generally regarded as a condition solely affecting the elderly, there are a wide range of factors which can cause lifelong hearing damage in younger generations, including unsafe listening practices at venues or through headphones, impact to the head, chronic ear infections and more. An estimated 1 in 5 American teens experiences some degree of hearing loss. About 2 to 3 out of every 1,000 children in the United States are born with a detectable level of hearing loss in one or both ears.
The real danger of hearing loss at a younger age is not only an irreversible condition but its effects on educational success. Issues hearing can make it difficult to follow classroom discussions and lectures, making the idea of further education seem out of reach. The good news is that there are a lot of strategies to help you succeed in educational settings. If you or someone you love has a hearing loss and is considering colleges, here are some tips to make sure you set yourself up for success!
Be Open About Your Hearing Loss
You can’t get help unless you ask for it. One of the largest hurdles for many with hearing loss is the stigma around it. Because the effects are not visually apparent, many hide their disability. The issue with non-disclosure is that it doesn’t allow you to receive the many accommodations now available for students across educational establishments. Hearing loss is a recognized disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) which protects people with disabilities from discrimination by state-funded schools such as state universities, community colleges, and vocational schools.
Let your school know before you arrive that you have hearing loss. It’s likely you are not the first student who has attended your college with hearing loss. You may not only be surprised but excited about all the amazing strategies that colleges and educators have found to help you succeed at learning even with a hearing impairment.
Contact Your Instructors
If you’ve had hearing loss for a while, then you may already know what things have worked to help you learn in the past. When you sign up for a class, contact your instructor via email and let them know what accommodations could better help you secede in their class. If you are not sure, that is okay. It’s likely they have had experience in the past in accommodating students of all types of disabilities, including hearing loss.
Let them know the extent of your hearing loss and you and your professor can troubleshoot different ways to help you navigate their class.
Take Advantage of School Services
Colleges often have a department devoted to supporting students with disabilities. Contact them ahead of time to find out what features they offer hearing-impaired students. This can include accommodations you may have previously only dreamed of such as live-action captioning services, written class notes or transcripts or ASL interpretation.
Position Yourself for Success
Hearing loss requires a bit more presence in order to follow along and keep up with class materials. Success in education starts on the first day when you choose your seat. Avoid sitting near a door, window, or noisy air conditioning unit, as these can be sources for distraction and noise. When you sit near the front you are more likely to be able to hear clearer with less distractions. A good view of the instructor and class materials means you can take advantage of visual cues such as lip reading, facial expression, and body language.
Addressing a Loss
While hearing loss is irreversible, the good news is that it is completely treatable. If you haven’t already there are a wide range of options to help you hear your best in school and just about anywhere you go. Hearing aids can be digitally programmed to amplify all the sounds and tones you need to hear, based on your hearing exam. Whether you are a new hearing aid user or need an update, start this year off right by scheduling a hearing exam with us.