4 Steps to FREE Hearing Technology From Your University

 

1. Visit your audiologist

  • Document your current hearing loss to provide all information to your University Disability Counselor.
  • Collect your audiogram from your audiologist.
  • Ask your audiologist to include test results from your speech-in-noise test (ex: QuickSIN)
  • Document your hearing challenges at university – in the classroom or in social settings – and how these challenges could be solved with assistive technology.
  • Talk to your audiologist about what hearing technology products are compatible with your hearing aids.

Here’s a Tip! The Phonak Roger technology is accessible with all hearing aids on the market! If you do not have a Phonak hearing aid, you can get the Phonak Roger Receiver to add to your current hearing aid, which would allow you to use all Roger technology.

2. Understand Your Rights

 

    • All students with an impairment that limits “one or more major life activities,” is applicable for “appropriate educational services designed to meet the individual needs of such students to the same extent as the needs of students without disabilities are met,” according to The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 – Section 504 of Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

 

This includes students who use hearing aids and cochlear implants or other implantable hearing devices! So if you have a Phonak cochlear implant, you still qualify for free assistive technology for hearing impaired.

If you or your university has questions about this law, see “Frequently Asked Questions About Section 504 and the Education of Children with Disabilities.”

3. Take Action

As a university student, you need to initiate the conversation for additional assistance, as you won’t always have an advocate for your learning like you may have had in high school. When you’re prepared to request a services or technology from your university, you can start to take action!

  • First, visit your Campus Disability Service Office and talk to your Disability Counselor. If you don’t know who your Disability Counselor is, a quick Google search or visit to your Campus Administrator or Student Affairs Office will help point you in the right direction.
  • Request the assistive products you would like – based on your research and conversation with your audiologist.
  • 4. Stay Positive

     

    • Once you receive your hearing assistive technology or services you should experience a positive change to your learning experience! While you get used to your new accommodations, it’s important to continue to stay positive and strive for self-advocacy.
    • If you still miss a few words during lecture, don’t worry. There are always ways to get equal access. Maybe this means moving closer to the professor so you can lip-read at the same time while using the Roger Pen microphone. Alternatively, you can request a note-taker or CART services to supplement your Roger microphone.
    • Consider joining a support group! There are likely other students on campus who also have hearing loss, Support groups provide opportunities to gather together and  share challenges and success stories. Alternatively, online communities, such as HearingLikeMe.com, can allow you to learn about other students’ experiences and discover new success strategies.

    4 Steps to FREE Hearing Technology From Your University

    Did you know you could qualify for free assistive technology for hearing impaired students? As a college student, it’s important to speak up and champion your cause. Being your own advocate can feel overwhelming until you realize that there are laws and processes in place to back you up. Phonak is here to help you understand how you can receive assistive technology for hearing impaired free-of-charge during your collegiate career. Hearing impairment shouldn’t hold you back. Follow these four steps to qualify for free hearing technology.

    1. Visit your audiologist

    • Document your current hearing loss to provide all information to your University Disability Counselor.
    • Collect your audiogram from your audiologist.
    • Ask your audiologist to include test results from your speech-in-noise test (ex: QuickSIN)
    • Document your hearing challenges at university – in the classroom or in social settings – and how these challenges could be solved with assistive technology.
    • Talk to your audiologist about what hearing technology products are compatible with your hearing aids.

    Here’s a Tip! The Phonak Roger technology is accessible with all hearing aids on the market! If you do not have a Phonak hearing aid, you can get the Phonak Roger Receiver to add to your current hearing aid, which would allow you to use all Roger technology.