Hi Julie,

Although I didn't have to look for a 4th year externship, I did have
to look for a job prior to completion of my masters degree, called a
"clinical fellowship" (laughing).

My experience during my job search and interviews back in 2000 is
similar to what Mark was saying. Potential employers were much more
interested in how well I could get the job done. As soon as they found
out I had a hearing loss (whether I told him before the interview or
during the interview), some would immediately ask how well I could
communicate with staff and patients on the phone, how I would do
listening checks, etc. I was prepared for all those questions as I had
an answer for each one. Although this wasn't said by any of my
interviewers directly, I got this gut feeling that they couldn't help
but think how much money they might be losing if there was a
disruption of communication caused by my hearing loss. No matter how
hard people might try, I just don't think that everyone views hearing
loss in a positive light, even among audiologists! We have to remember
that during an interview for a job (or a 4th year externship), not
only are we being interviewed, but the interviewer is also being
interviewed. We have to have our interviewing skills down pat. If
there is too much focus on our hearing loss or on accommodations, we
have to be smart about how to steer the interview back in a more
productive, meaningful session. Or else, it impinges on possible
discrimination, and that's no fun for anyone.

At the same time, I also agree with the statements Suzanne makes. The
4th year externship would be better viewed as a place where "you put
it all together" and not as a place where you are still "finding
yourself". I also agree that the 4th year is not to be viewed as a
job, but another year of solid learning. Any one, hearing loss or not,
would do well to find a 4th year externship where learning will
continue to happen in the form of preparing for the real world. The
student seeking a 4th year externship should be selective, and not
just take anything that comes their way. Hearing loss or not, the
student should want to seek a place where they can continue to be
mentored, continue to learn, and continue to mature. You should feel
ready to tackle the world when you get that degree. (This very idea is
profoundly different than the Masters degree and clinical fellowship
approach.)

Self-disclosure is a very personal choice. In working with the
Association of Medical Professionals with Hearing Losses (AMPHL) for
several years now, it seems to me across disciplines (Medicine,
veterinary medicine, nursing, psychology, etc) that the more severe
the hearing loss, or the more impact hearing loss has on one's life,
the more it helps to disclose the hearing loss up front. This is not
to say that this is the only choice. But it seems to me that if we are
concerned enough about our hearing loss (or hearing abilities), then
the perception of others about us might be the same. This is where
attitude has to kick in. This is where self-confidence and competence
has to kick in. This is where we have to sell ourselves, despite our
hearing loss. Sometimes, we have to demonstrate how we successfully
turn our "disability" into "ability".

Best wishes,

Sam