Hearing Loss-Diagnosis Coping and Hearing Aid Questions?

I'm 19 years old and have now been professionally diagnosed with a hearing loss (20% left, 15% right), I found out at first when I was 15 through a hearing test at school.

I'm supposed to be getting hearing aids by the end of the summer, and I was curious how any one else had coped with something like this. My parents and friends are trying to be really understanding about this, but they can't be because they never went through it and I'm scared and nervous and a little lost by all this--- I just want to know how other people dealt with news like this and what using hearing aids was like and any other information you wish to share.

---and before anyone makes any cracks about me listening to music too loud or some other comment on how this is my fault, I lost my hearing due to cranial nerve damage at birth due to a 2 month prematurity--- I'm tired of being blamed for something I couldn't control.

Thanks to any and all who can help, it means a lot.

-EJ

I'm 20 years old, I have had hearing aids since I was 14. My hearingloss is very mild around 30 dB. I have an open ear canal hearing aid which I love I have'd it about a year now and it beats the completely in the canal one I had before. I found out the same way you did, a school hearing screening started it out when I was 13 and after a few more I was fitted for hearing aids right after my 14th birthday. I was really worried about what everyone is was going to say when I started school that fall and most people really didn't say anything about it. I will say that once I got them I feel in love with them. I finally heard what I was missing. Don't be nervous about it and don't worry about what your friends will say because your true friends will support you.

When I found out I needed hearing aids I was a bit supprised to say the least but I figured if it can help me I better get the hearing aids. Just remember it is not your fault and that you should always pursue something that will help you. What type of hearing aids are you going to have? If you need to talk to anyone about it feel free to talk to me.