Challenge Yourself In Challenging Times: 5 Ideas For Teens With Hearing Loss.

2020 has been a strange and challenging year for just about everybody on the planet. We have all had to deal with a lot of changes to the way we live. Every person reacts differently to change.  Being able to adapt to change quickly is a sign of resilience. Resilience is our ability to cope and ‘bounce back’ during difficult situations. Some people find it easier to cope than others, but we can all learn to be more resilient.

Many schools and community groups run programs to help teens practice skills to build resilience. You don’t have to learn to be resilient on your own. Search for a program in your area or online.

Programs may cover topics such as

• Managing your health and well-being
• Learning how to handle your emotions during times of change or pressure situations
• Developing positive thinking to see different ways to respond
• Controlling negative thoughts
• Identifying your strengths and using these to solve problems
• Making choices that will have the best outcome for you and others
• Understanding the importance of communication
• Learning to think about how other people are thinking and feeling

All the above skills can be learnt and practiced. Your resilience will develop over time as you adapt and adjust to different experiences.  One way you can build your resilience is by setting yourself a small challenge or goal.  Setting and achieving a goal allows your brain to feel success and develops confidence which is part of resilience.

Here are some ideas for challenges.

Take Control And Set A Goal 

Start with small steps

1. Explain your hearing technology.

Step 1: Record yourself explaining your hearing technology. If you are not sure how it works, look here.

Step 2: Share your recording with your family or a friend.

Step 3: Practice telling your family face to face.

Step 4: Tell someone new about your hearing technology.

2. Share what helps you.

Step 1: Make a list of what makes it harder for you to join a conversation.

For example: too many people in the group, too much noise, talking too fast

Step 2: Make a list of how those problems can be solved.

For example: ask just one person to join you for a chat away from the group, move to a quiet spot, ask the talker to speak slower.

Step 3: Try out the solutions with your family.

Step 4: Try out the solutions with others.

3. Practice independently managing your technology.

Find everything you need here. Just click the links to your technology.

Step 1: Complete the Handling and Basics

Step 2: Complete the Basic Care and Maintenance

Step 3: Complete any troubleshooting issues

Step 4: Make and attend your own audiology appointment

4. Prepare for emergencies.

Knowing how you would react in an emergency situation is a great way to boost your self-confidence.

Step 1: Find out the phone number for emergency calls where you live.

Step 2: Write a script for what you would say if you had to call and practice it.

Step 3: Complete a CPR (Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation) tutorial on YouTube.

Step 4: Enrol in a First Aid Course.

5. Build your conversation skills.

Step 1: Say ‘Hi’ or ‘Bye’ to someone you see regularly but don’t usually speak to.

Step 2: Make a comment or ask a question. This might be a compliment about something you like. (I like your earrings. Where did you get them?)

Step 3: Join a group having a conversation and practice Active Listening.

How to be an Active Listener

– maintain eye contact

– keep your body fairly still

– think about what is being said

-wait for a pause and make a comment or ask a question

Step 4: Start a conversation with someone from the group

Don’t know how to explain your hearing device to other people? Find tips and tricks how to deal with questions about your hearing implant here.