by gemberly

Just wanted to say hello. I was accepted into nursing school just last week, and should hopefully begin in the fall. I have been HOH for the last 13 years. It is a cookie bite loss and I have about a 15% loss at either end of the spectrum and then it gradually hits 55% loss in the middle. It looks like someone "took a bite out of my hearing" on my audiogram. I wear two CIC digitals. Because I wasn't HOH when I learned to speak, no one really realises that I have a problem hearing most of the time.

Anyway, I had transferred classes into my current school, and I have an appointment with Special Services tomorrow. I just want to make sure that I have the best success in my classes. Currently, I have a little trouble contributing in class, sometimes the instructors don't speak up, and watching videos is really had for me, as I rely on CC at home, even with aids in, having it loud enough for me, seems to be too loud for the other students in the class. If I sit in the front of the room, I can't hear some of the questions in the back, and then I feel self conscious expressing myself, because I couldn't hear what was being said. Because I can speak so well, even if I tell the instructors, they seem to "forget" fairly quickly that I can't hear if they are facing the wall walking to the back of the room.

I have been searching the forum and found some great sites and recommendations. Any advice or tips would be appreciated. I want to be successful in school!!

Thank you for your time!!

Re: HOH and just accepted to nursing school!

Hello Gemberly and welcome to All Nurses
So cool that you got accepted into a nursing program!
Well, I think you are on the right track, being a self-advocate!
By all means go to your Disability Office or to the 504 Officer. You may be able to have a note-taker for your classes, I would ask or inquire about that so that you can concentrate on what is going on in the class. As long as your college or university receive federal funding you are covered by the Americans with Disability Act of 1991 (ADA).
See if there are transcripts available for any of the videos you may have to watch in class. What about using one of those devices that the instructor wears around their neck and their voice is transmitted to your hearing aid? For the life of me I can not remember the name of the ALD (assisted living device) and I will probably remember at 0300 hours, ha ha!
Check out www.allheart.com for some ideas of electronic stethoscopes that you may find helpfull as your further your schooling and career.
Also check out www.amphl.org
Speaking for myself I had to work 200% over and above the other students just to prove that I had a place in class! But it is do-able. Remember what Eleanor Roosevelt once said: "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent"
We are here for you. Please let us/me know how things are going, okay??
Best of luck to you!
athena
athena

Re: HOH and just accepted to nursing school!

Congrats and many good wishes to you.

Re: HOH and just accepted to nursing school!

Congrats. I'm also HOH but its getting worse...that's a whole other blog tho. I'm starting my LPN program this August and my school has been super supportive. They have a Deaf and HOH specialist to help you out. My concern, as my hearing gets worse, is that sethoscopes might become a problem. Any advice?

To other HOH people, don't let it stand in your way. I've been HOH progressing to deaf for 22 years and I've accomplished everything I've wanted to do (except join the Army lol). If you treat is as nothing, like wearing a pair of glasses, others won't treat it as something. I guess what I'm trying to say, is wear your 'ears' with pride and others will fall in line.

Good luck!

Re: HOH and just accepted to nursing school!

Hello,

I also am HOH and have been since birth, with the same exact hearing as yours. The "cookie-bite" loss. The only difference is that I start in the normal range and dip down a bit in the middle and back up to the normal range. I wear the Marq's by Beltone and absolutely love them. I recently got accepted in nursing college, also. A BSN program that starts in July. It's so exciting to know that there are others out there in my similar position. Even before the college accepted me, they knew about my disability, so I'm on my way to getting whatever accommodations needed. Let me know how things go with you and I'll do the same!

Many Blessings!

Re: HOH and just accepted to nursing school!

Get permission to record the lectures with a digital recorder (many students in my classes do) and listen at home or in the car, etc.