Julie,

When I interviewed for my placements for 4^th year I found that my potential supervisors were more interested in other qualities such as eagerness to learn, basic knowledge base, interest in the field, willingness to relocate for a year, etc.  My hearing loss was not the primary concern.  That said… my accommodations were brought up early in the interview process because I wanted to make sure that I could be accommodated and that they were open to it.  Remember, you are interviewing them too.  You want to be sure your supervisor will work with you.  So, if they don’t like the topic of conversation then you know the interview is over and that placement is not right for you.  If they are open to accommodation and eager to work with you, then they will probably want to know what you have tried so far and how successful it has been. 

I tackled the problem with this philosophy:  The fourth year is when I get to “put it all together”.  I have to have the best experiences I can and I need the environment to accommodate me in order for that to happen.  DO NOT let “it slide”.  This is your chance to educate yourself.  Once you are out of school, it won’t happen again (unless you work in an academic position… even then).  Also, don’t assume that all your needs have been discovered in outplacements you’ve worked at thus far.

When you are done with your education and you have your degree and license, your first employer is going to say “go in there and do your job” and “what do you need to get the job done”?  You are going to have to be able to tell them what you need.  They are not as likely to be open to “learning with you” and “finding your solutions.” 

This can be an overwhelming transitional stage in your career… but don’t sell yourself short.  I know too many people or just took a job for their fourth year and regret it.  This is not the time to “get a job.”  You are still in school and your are still a student.  Make sure you are treated as such. 

I am making a big deal out of this, but it is a big deal.  I am seen so many students get burned and I am not even talking about hard of hearing students.

Fortunately, I had a great fourth year and a supervisor who loved to learn and teach.  My head was spinning for a whole year, but I left that placement better for it.  I had a whole toolkit of ideas for accommodating my hearing loss and I also had the clinical skill needed to start any job that I wanted after graduation.

FYI There is a powerpoint of the Poster I did at AAA on the Yahoo homepage (under files).  The paper will be out hopefully next year in the ARA publication (if all goes well).  Until that reference is available, feel free to use the powerpoint.  This can demonstrate to your supervisor that you are not the only one that is using accommodations.

Best of luck and feel free to write more questions. 

Suzanne Yoder

Grad AuD 2004

Severe SNHL AU

Hearing Aids AU/FM System

Many accommodations tried/many successful accommodations used. J