Orla makes waves and charms

I have been wearing hearing aids since I was 7, and it's not always easy. Sometimes I get frustrated because my classroom is open plan, and it can be so noisy. As I have gotten older, I realise that I sometimes need a time out in a quiet space, or to take my hearing aids out for a little break. I know they help me, though, and I have a mic aid, too, which is ace. It has different settings and can be on table mode so I can play games and read with my friends, and I'm able to hear them all.

If I could offer any advice to other deaf young people, I would say to talk about how you're feeling. My mum always tells me she can’t imagine how it must feel, but it’s OK to feel sad or frustrated. Sometimes I tell her I wish I weren’t deaf; I think that happens more when I'm tired. I know I can’t change it, and most times I don’t want to – it's part of who I am. I love that more television programmes are raising awareness, like Strictly Come Dancing and Waterloo Road.

My hearing specialist teacher is lovely and helpful. She comes to see me every term. She organises a group with other children in my area who are deaf. We meet online with our teacher and talk about being deaf, what we like (and don’t like) and some of the challenges we face. I really enjoy it. It’s good fun learning about each other.

I enjoy swimming, and I compete in galas and in championships. I have qualified for the National Championships in Grangemouth this year, and I'm excited. In my school, I'm the only deaf person. I love meeting other people who are deaf and have made friends with them. Swimming is a great way to meet new people, and my coaches and teammates are understanding of my hearing loss and use visual prompts and check in with me to make sure I have lip-read what the instructions are.

A few years ago, I wanted to wear charms on my hearing aids. I had a look on Etsy with my mum, but there wasn’t much for children. So, I started to make my own, and my friends said I should start making them to sell as they were so good. With my mum’s help, I set up a shop on Etsy called Little Hear O’s. I make hearing aid charms, earrings and fidget keyrings. I'm happy that I have had lovely messages from parents of deaf children saying how much they love them. I make earrings to match, too; my friends can wear the same earrings as my hearing aid charm.

Locally, I have gone to a few craft fairs and have sold earrings and fidget keyrings because there are not so many deaf people! I did sell a hearing aid charm at one to an older lady, and she said she had never heard of them before and had been wearing hearing aids since she was four.

I only wear one charm on my right hearing aid, and I get so many lovely comments from people. It's a good way to start a conversation about my hearing loss. I would love to inspire more people to bling up their hearing aids and be proud of them.