Am I ready?

When changes occur in your life, how would you describe your reaction?

Overall, I am comfortable with change and adjust quickly.

It depends on the change; some changes are easy and some are hard.

Overall, I am uncomfortable with change and I find myself avoiding it if possible.

I've only had a few changes in my life, so I feel I cannot answer this question.

A combination of these answer describes me.

How would you describe these parts of your life (check all that apply?)

I am happy with school

School is not going well

I am happy with my friends

It's hard to make/keep friends

I'd like to have more independence and make more decisions

I don't feel I have enough support

What would best prepare your teacher to support you in the classroom?

Have my itinerant teacher meet with them to explain what I need

Meet with them myself before classes start

Meet with my teachers with my itinerant teacher to explain what I need

No meeting necessary

In preparing for the senior grades, what information do you think your teachers would find helpful so that they know how to support your hearing needs?

Tell them what is easy to hear and what is difficult to hear

Ask them to face me in the classroom so I can see their face

Provide someone who can take notes for me

Ask them not to single me out in class

Understand that it is hard for me to hear when the class is noisy

They don't need any specific information - if I have difficulty I will let them know

I can manage on my own; I don't need any special support from my teachers

Often, your friends share stories about what happened that day when you're walking to class or in the cafeteria. These can be very noisy places to hear in. What strategies do you use when you don't understand them?

I ask my friends to repeat what they said

I don't like to ask them to repeat at the time; I ask my friend to repeat what was said later in the day

I don't worry about it; I will figure it out myself later

I feel left out of conversations with my friends

When you need to get your hearing or hearing aids checked, or you need a new hearing aid, what do you do?

My parents always make the appointment for me and make sure I go there

I ask my parents to book an appointment with my hearing care professional for me

I ask my parents for the number so that I can call to make an appointment with my hearing care professional

I always book my appointments myself and make sure I get there on time

A combination of these answers describes me

When somebody asks you about your hearing aids or cochlear implant, what do you do?

I explain to them that I have a hearing loss and, if they are interested, I will tell them how the hearing aids or cochlear implant work

I try to pretend that I did not hear their question because I prefer not to talk about my hearing aids or cochlear implant

I tell them that I would rather not talk about my hearing aids or cochlear implant

I get really upset that they saw I have hearing aids or a cochlear implant and walk away because I do not want to talk about it

A combination of these answers describes me

If you cannot hear what the teacher or other students are saying in the classroom, what do you do?

I ask them to repeat, speak more clearly, and face me so that I can understand what they are saying

I wait to see if I can understand what comes next and perhaps work out what was being said

I keep quiet because I have asked them to speak more clearly before and it's no use

I never say anything because I do not want the others to know, or be reminded, that I have a hearing loss

A combination of these answers describes me

If your hearing support solution, such as an FM system, is not working properly at school, what do you do?

I contact my itinerant teacher of the deaf and hard of hearing right away and ask her to make sure it is fixed

I tell my parents so that they can talk to the itinerant teacher of the deaf and hard of hearing

I leave it for the time being - perhaps I can get another one at some point

I am relieved that it is not working - that way the others will not be constantly reminded that I have a hearing loss

A combination of these answers describes me

What do you do when you get a new teacher at school?

I immediately arrange a meeting with them to let them know that I have a hearing loss and how they can help me hear and communicate well in class

I tell my itinerant teacher that I have a new teacher and ask them to contact the new teacher

I let time pass and leave it to them to find out that I have a hearing loss

I try to hide that I have a hearing loss by pretending that I can follow their instructions and conversations in the class

I would hate for them to know that I have a hearing loss - it would be awful if they bring it up in class!

A combination of these answers describes me

If you want to play sports, what do you do?

I love to play team sports and have told my coach and teammates about my hearing loss so that they know what I can and cannot hear when we play

I love to play team sports and play along without telling others about my hearing loss so that they will not think I cannot do the job

I prefer to exercise alone so that I do not have to explain my hearing loss to a coach and other team members

I do not like to exercise because the hearing aids get in the way

My interests do not include sports

A combination of these answers describes me

If your hearing aid or cochlear implant stops working, what do you do?

I check the batteries to see if they need changing, and if so, I change them

I take the device off and leave it until I come home - then my parents can check it

I take my device off and put it in my bag. Sometimes it can be days before I remember, or care, to take it out and check it.

A combination of these answers describes me

As you prepare to move away from home, how will you plan to get good hearing healthcare and maintenance for your hearing devices?

I will search the internet to look for audiologists before I move and arrange to meet with a couple of them before I choose one

I will rely on my parents to find a good hearing care professional for me

I will wait and see - who knows when I will need to see a hearing care professional again

I will not be looking for a hearing care professional because I really do not think I need one

I haven't thought about this before, I do not yet have an answer

A combination of these answers describes me

Discuss your answers and notes with your audiologist or someone close to you.

Be inspired by others

Am I ready?

Develop new skills

Am I ready?