Whether we like it or not, transition brings a whole heap of challenges that need to be overcome. From transitioning to high school, through to leaving university and entering the workplace, each stage requires careful planning and consideration.
During the recent March meeting of the Paediatric Program Advisory Committee (PPAC), the different transitions people face from childhood to young adulthood was the focus of our conversations. Specifically we examined a number of fact sheets used by Australian Hearing to help guide paediatric clients of all ages and their parents on how a hearing loss can impact the different stages of life.
When focusing on young people, an important piece of feedback was given by the committee who suggested placing more emphasis on the circumstances young people with hearing loss face. For instance, as most young people finish school, their focus is on gaining work, completing further educational studies and participating in everyday life. As the Australian Government Hearing Services program is available for young people until they are 26 years old, most people will finish up with Australian Hearing as young adults. Therefore, it is a crucial time then for Australian Hearing to help young people understand the challenges they might face in later life.
I know in my own circumstances, I am halfway through a university degree and have recently started working. When I started work, I know a few simple and easy tips about how to handle entering the workforce with my hearing loss would have been very valuable and helped settle some of my nerves.
One view raised at the end of this discussion on transition points was that a young person’s partnership with their audiologist is a two-way street. That is, while Australian Hearing Audiologists serve us well in our appointments, we as clients and parents of clients need to be able to recognise when to ask questions about the everyday challenges faced in the school, work or educational setting. By doing this, we can make the best out of our hearing journey.
At our next meeting in June, the PPAC Committee will look to examine this partnership a little closer. Until then, if you have any ideas that you would like the PPAC to discuss, we can be contacted at ppac@hearing.com.au . Please note that if you have concerns or questions about your individual hearing program, these should be raised with Australian Hearing directly.
Brendan Pearce is the Chair of the PPAC and a strong advocate for young people with a disability. Born with a moderate hearing loss, Brendan has been a client of Australian Hearing since 1997.