Students with hearing loss/challenges are often the only student in the building wearing and using hearing assistive technology, without any peer group to provide them support as they navigate how to use (and accept) this highly visible hearing accommodation that makes them feel even more different from their peers.
Over the years, I have worked hard to gather together my students with hearing loss (whenever that opportunity arises) to feel part of a group that "gets it" and understands the difficulties of hearing and understanding at school, both in the classroom and with their peers. I believe that this kind of support is invaluable to each of my students. Here are images of "HAT" events I have created so far this school year.