a little girl with hearing loss explains how life is at school

My Hearing Doesn't Define Me

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Click the video to see me getting my hearing aids for the first time!

Getting my hearing aids!

So, you see, hearing aids aren't bad! I love mines! I hear better with them! I still get treated like my other classmates. My teacher and friends love me, and I love them! I am thankful for my hearing aids! See you next time!

Hello! My name is Ana! Nice to meet you!

I'm in 4th grade, in Mrs. Johnson's class. I wear hearing aids. Do you know what those are?

My Hearing Doesn't Define Me Author &amp; Narrator: Erica Glover

I have trouble hearing sounds at a certain frequency level. I can't hear low talking. It sounds like whispers to me. My hearing aids are an instrument that I wear in my ears to help me hear better. All of my friends think it's really cool!

I sit in the front of the class so I can hear better. My teacher gives me important notes, so I won't miss it. Mrs. Jonhson even wears a microphone that is connected to my hearing aids. I have to have hands on activities, pictures, and video captions during my teacher's lesson. I get extra time to complete my tests or assignments. The really cool part is, I get pulled out of class when I am taking a test. I even have an interpreter, who does sign language for me!

Sometimes when I'm with my friends, I talk really loudly. I can't hear myself speaking without my hearing aids. I have a hard time getting directions or responding to questions. I have earaches all the time! It's so painful! When my teacher is talking to me, I always turn my ear to her. My speech is not the best, but that's okay! That's why I take speech therapy! I'll get better soon!

There are a lot of reasons why kids like me are hard of hearing. We could be sick, taking some medicines, or our physical flaws.