Being a teenager

Hanging out with friends is a really important part of being a teenager. You might like to try new and different things. This is part of discovering who you are and what makes you similar to your friends, but also what makes you unique.

It's okay if you don't feel you fit in, because most young people at this stage go through a time when they feel this way. If you asked a close friend about this, they would probably tell you that they feel the same way sometimes, too.

Activities outside school like sports, music, and clubs help you discover your unique interests and skills and begin to give you ideas about what you would like to do as an adult.

Did you notice?

The environment is:

  • Noisy
  • Busy
  • Challenging for conversations

Socially, you need to:

  • Take and act on directions in the workplace
  • Participate in one-on-one, small, and large group conversations in school
  • Explain your hearing loss to peers, teachers, and coworkers

You need to be able to:

  • Speak up for yourself and say you have a hearing loss
  • Ask for support when you need it
  • Apply communication strategies to hear well
  • Explain to others how they can help you

What might be challenging for me?