What Happens After High School?

By Amanda Connelly and  Susan Dillmuth-Miller

This article is a part of the January/February 2023, Volume 35, Number 1, Audiology Today issue.

Mary is a new student at XYZ College. She is profoundly deaf, has cochlear implants, and communicates using spoken language. She shows up on the first day of classes and wonders why captioning is not provided. She sleeps through a fire drill, which leads to embarrassment and a confrontation with her resident advisor. Five weeks into the semester, Mary still waits for captioning, works unsuccessfully to keep her grades up, and feels very alone. She tells her parents she wants to withdraw.

In the United States, postsecondary education—college, university, and trade or vocational school—is an important step for young adults’ successful transition from high school to independent living and employment. Research compiled by the National Deaf Center on Postsecondary Outcomes in 2017 shows that the largest gaps in educational attainment exist at the college level (Garberoglio et al, 2019). Thirty-three percent of hearing adults between the age of 25–64 have completed a bachelor’s degree, compared with 18 percent of individuals who are d/Deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) in the same age range. People who are DHH with any additional disabilities have even lower college graduation rates at 12 percent. Students who are DHH may enroll in higher education, but few complete their program.  

A gap also exists in the labor force. The National Deaf Center on Postsecondary Outcomes reports that 42.9 percent of individuals who are DHH are actively looking for work but remain unemployed, compared with 20.8 percent of people with no hearing loss (Garberoglio et al, 2019). Additionally, individuals who are DHH tend to be underemployed in jobs that do not reflect individuals’ skill or potential.  

What can audiologists do to support teens and young adults with reduced auditory access on their journey to their next steps post high school graduation? Preparation and high expectations are essential to ensure successful student achievement and employment. This article discusses 10 recommendations for audiologists to prepare students for the next steps in their lives.