Tips for College Students with Hearing Loss

Tips for College Students with Hearing Loss

Leanne E. Polhill, LHAS, BC-HIS, BA Hearing Health, Hearing Loss, Tips & Tricks

Leanne E. Polhill, LHAS, BC-HIS, BA
Latest posts by Leanne E. Polhill, LHAS, BC-HIS, BA (see all)

The months of April and May are where prospective college students find out if they have gotten into their desired colleges. Those with hearing loss have a further question to consider as they prepare for the fall semester – how will the college accommodate their hearing loss? 

Thanks to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and decades of education and advocacy around disability issues, higher education is better able to accommodate students with hearing loss than ever before. Going to college with hearing loss still entails making some special preparation, but knowing how to find the right resources will have you starting the school year on the right foot. 

Get your hearing tested right before your first class.

Before you need to assess what resources you’ll need to access in the classroom, make sure you have had a recent hearing exam to get an idea of how your hearing loss is best treated and managed. Knowing your hearing loss configuration can help you select the assistance that best accommodates your disability and can help you determine things like the best place to sit to maximize your hearing. Ensuring your hearing aids are programmed to best suit your hearing loss is an excellent start to navigating school with hearing loss.

Get friendly with your school’s disability services

One of your first visits to school should be with the college’s Disabilities Services office. Your school may have a different name for their department in charge of facilitating access for students with disabilities. Still, regardless of name, most schools now have specialized services to help connect these students with the resources they need to learn. Many schools will have multiple ways to help you engage in your classes fully and resources to help you stay in the swing of campus life. 

Let your school’s Disability Services know that you have hearing loss, and ask them about in-class solutions they can offer. Some classrooms may offer personal FM systems, and large lecture halls may be equipped with a telecoil loop. Disability support in schools can also provide resources like ASL translation and speech-to-text services. Your college Disabilities Services office can also help make sure your teachers are familiar with your needs and any technology or services they may need to use.

Acquaint yourself with your professors

Take the time to meet with your professors early in the semester to let them know about your disability and how you can best participate in their class. You can set up a meeting during their office hours, talk to them before or after class, correspond via email or ask your school’s disability services to help convey your learning needs. Go over how you hear and what you’ll be using in the course to assist your hearing. You can outline any technology the teacher will need to use, from speaking into a microphone for a telecoil to ensuring that classroom videos are close-captioned.

Get the best seat in the house.

A big part of maximizing your hearing ability depends on where you are in a room and what noises may interfere with your hearing. Arriving early to class can help you scout the best seating for your hearing needs. Sitting with your back or side to a wall can help keep background noises to a minimum and help you better locate voices in a conversation. Staying away from vents or windows helps reduce noise as well. If you read lips to assist your hearing, make sure you sit where you have a clear view of the instructor as they teach. Additionally, if your hearing is asymmetrical, position yourself to favor your ear with more hearing ability.

Advocate for yourself among your peers

College is an adventure where you can push yourself towards reaching your dreams and form friendships and bonds that last a lifetime. 

To make the most of the experience, when you’re getting to know people in your classes or around campus, be open and clear about your hearing loss and the best ways you communicate. Everyone is there to learn- not just from the teachers but also from each other- so even if it seems like your classmates are unfamiliar with hearing loss, a little education can go a long way in bridging gaps. 

Whether you’re headed off to college or happen to be in college in our area and are in need of quality hearing care, contact us today. Our team of hearing professionals can help you find the perfect hearing solutions for your needs, and our individualized attention ensures you’ll find the best hearing devices fit for your lifestyle.