Starting Uni with Confidence: A Guide to Freshers' Week for Deaf Students
Freshers’ Week is an exciting (and sometimes overwhelming) time. New friends, late nights, lectures, societies, and plenty of noise - it can be a lot to take in. If you’re Deaf or wear hearing aids, having the right tools and tips can make all the difference in helping you enjoy every moment while staying confident and in control.
Here are our top survival essentials for navigating Freshers’ Week and beyond:
Stay Connected with the Phonak Roger On
Freshers’ Week is full of group situations - whether that’s a table of new friends in the pub, a late-night takeaway run, group meet-ups, or your first study group. The Phonak Roger On microphone is a lifesaver in all these settings.
One of the cleverest things about Roger On is that it automatically adjusts to different listening modes depending on how you use it:
- Table mode: Place the mic flat on a table during group meals, study sessions, or visits to the pub. It picks up voices from all around, while cutting out background noise, so you won’t miss out on group conversations.
- Presenter mode: Ask your lecturer, or even a friend giving a presentation to clip the mic to their shirt – their voice is prioritised and delivered directly to your hearing aids.
- Pointing mode: In noisy environments like pubs, you can hold the mic and point it towards the person you most want to hear. This helps cut through background noise so you stay part of the chat, even in a crowded room.
- Headset mode: For online calls and video lectures, Roger On doubles up as a headset. Your peers’ voices stream straight into your hearing aids, while your own voice is sent directly to the computer. That way, everyone hears you clearly above background noise - perfect for remote seminars or group calls.
- Automatic adjustments: Roger On recognises different situations and adapts, giving you clearer sound in lectures, cafés, study groups, or social spaces without you needing to change a thing.
It’s like having a smart, portable sound booster in your pocket - perfect for everything Freshers’ Week can throw at you.
Wake Up Reliably, and Without Waking Everyone Else
Late nights + early lectures = a recipe for oversleeping. That’s where our specialist vibrating and flashing alarm clocks come in. With bed-shaker pads or bright light alerts, you’ll wake up on time without disturbing your flatmates - and you won’t miss those crucial 9am lectures (no matter how tempting it might be!).
TLC for Your Hearing Aids
Your hearing aids are about to become your most valuable study buddies, so don’t forget to look after them. Freshers’ Week can be chaotic, but a hearing aid care kit will keep you on top of daily maintenance. Drying boxes protect against moisture after long days out, and simple cleaning tools help keep everything working at its best. A little TLC goes a long way towards making sure your hearing aids last the term without hiccups.
Explore hearing aid care essentials >
Protect Your Ears - Even with Hearing Aids
Just because you use hearing aids doesn’t mean you can skip hearing protection. Loud clubs, concerts, and busy student bars can still cause further hearing damage. Using ear plugs in loud environments protects the hearing you do have, reduces fatigue, and makes noisy nights out more comfortable. Think of them as a long-term investment in your hearing health.
Final Tips for Freshers’ Success
- Don’t be afraid to tell people how they can make conversations easier for you - most will be more than happy to help.
- Keep spares of the essentials (like batteries or domes) in your bag.
- Balance the fun with self-care. Your ears (and future self) will thank you!
Freshers’ Week should be exciting, not exhausting. With the right kit and a few smart strategies, you’ll be ready to make the most of university life from day one.