Keys to Success for the Student
Batteries charged and T-coil working
Proximity to interference
- just changing seats may help
Continue to sit within 20 ft. of the speaker if you will use speech reading
Interact with others about coping techniques-SHHH, Beyond-Hearing
Notes:
Always, always check that the batteries are charged BEFORE the lecture starts. Make sure that you have a properly working T-coil and that you know how to use it. Experiment with the placement of the headphones and other couplers to the hearing aid. Adjust the position to get the best reception.
Often, changing seats will help correct interference problems. BUT do sit close to the speaker. You won’t believe the difference it makes in eye strain and speech reading ease AND in picking up sound with your hearing aid (remember the properties of sound traveling across distance). Get used to NOT sitting in the back of the room!
You will also be amazed at how helpful it is to talk to others to find out their experiences, see what troubleshooting tips they may have, and to find out how they cope with various situations. These groups can be found in local chapters of SHHH (Self-Help for Hard of Hearing Persons) and ALDA (Association of Late-Deafened Adults) and on the internet (Say What Club, Beyond-Hearing, Deaf-Hearing Couples). My web page has information on how to join several internet discussion groups, in addition to other hearing loss information: