My Hearing Doesn't Define Me

My Hearing Doesn't Define Me

Author & Narrator: Erica Glover

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?

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!

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.

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!

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

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!

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!