TeensTalk Indonesia
Within every challenge lies extraordinary power
On the 24th August, 2025, teenaged and young adult cochlear implant users of Indonesia came together not just to chat, but to express that hearing challenges don’t hold them back. This was the very first session of the 10 topics TeensTalk series and the theme was “My SuperPower: Turning Hearing Challenges into Self-Taught Courage.”
The online session was put together by Galih Angissa, Rehabilitation Manager of Nobel Audiology Indonesia along with the support of Advanced Bionics Southeast Asia.
Empowering Deaf Teens Through a Webinar
The meeting began with a discussion on how to activate captions in the Zoom application for participants who needed them, with instructions given by Kak Galih. The event, themed “My Super Power: Turning Hearing Challenges into Self-Taught Courage,” was introduced, highlighting the importance of seeing hearing challenges as strengths rather than weaknesses. Kak Galih mentioned that participants from across Indonesia had registered for the webinar, which aimed to celebrate the achievements of teens and young adults with hearing challenges. The session would start at 9 AM GMT+7, 10 AM GMT+8, or 11 AM GMT+9, and participants were asked to keep their videos on and their audio muted during the session, with questions to be addressed via chat.
Emotional Training for Children
The meeting began with introductions and participants sharing their feelings and experiences, with many expressing happiness and excitement about meeting new friends. Galih led the discussion, emphasizing the importance of training children to understand and express their emotions, as well as the theory of mind. The group discussed how children can be encouraged to share their feelings and thoughts, which is crucial for their development. The session ended with plans to delve deeper into the core discussion in the next meeting.
Advocacy for Inclusivity and Awareness
This meeting focused on discussing the advantages and challenges faced by several individuals, including Steve Jobs, Idgitaf (Indonesian Singer) and Angkie (Disabilities Advocate). Participants shared insights about their personal experiences and the impact of their conditions on their lives, such as Steve Jobs’ challenges with reading text by disleksia and Angkie’s hearing impairment. The discussion also highlighted the achievements of these individuals, such as Fajri’s expertise in photography and videography, and Gendhis’ talent for drawing. The meeting aimed to raise awareness and promote inclusivity for people with disabilities.
Hearing Aids: Journeys and Achievements
The group discussed the experiences and challenges faced by individuals with hearing aids, focusing on personal stories and accomplishments. Bryan shared his journey with hearing technology, highlighting its benefits in improving communication and his newfound confidence in stand-up comedy. Annisa described her musical talent, including playing guitar and performing in a band, while also acknowledging the challenges she faced in learning English. The conversation emphasized resilience, self-advocacy, and the importance of support from friends and family in overcoming obstacles.
Supporting Teens with Hearing Loss
The meeting began with introductions and sharing personal experiences, including discussions on mountain climbing and writing imaginative stories. Participants shared their challenges and achievements, with Brother Fatin describing his mountain climbing experience and Brother Aqil discussing his creative writing process. The group also discussed future events, with Mr. Lewis (Nobel’s Director) suggesting monthly Zoom meetings and a potential camping trip. The conversation ended with an explanation of the purpose of ABTeens Talks, which aims to support parents of teens and young adults with hearing loss by providing a platform for them to share experiences and challenges.
Creative Works and Personal Challenges
This meeting focused on discussing the creative works and challenges of several participants. Aqil shared details about his writing project, which involved a fantasy story with elements of mystery, action, and comedy, set in a world connected to his past. Clarisa and Lisa demonstrated their creative skills, with Clarisa showcasing her ability to create intricate cardboard art and Clarisa presenting her paper craft projects. Ria discussed her work as a storyteller and therapist, highlighting challenges in time management due to family responsibilities and the benefits of storytelling for children’s communication skills and vocabulary development.
Challenges and Triumphs in Deafness
This meeting focused on sharing personal experiences and challenges faced by individuals with hearing impairments. Participants discussed their communication skills, use of hearing technology, and educational experiences. They highlighted the importance of independence and self-advocacy in overcoming challenges. The group also talked about a book written by one of the members, aimed at inspiring others in the Deaf community. They discussed the potential for support and community interaction through international hearing technology user groups.
Passion and Learning Journeys
The meeting began with Keilin sharing her love for reading, especially adventure and mystery books written by Enid Blyton. She also showcased her extensive book collection. The discussion then shifted to Calysta, where challenges and strengths were discussed, despite some technical issues with her microphone. Calysta shared her interest in drawing and fashion, mentioning that she learned from Pinterest and YouTube. The conversation concluded with Rika, who talked about her journey of learning Arabic, starting at a young age in an Islamic school and continuing with personal lessons. She expressed her ongoing efforts to improve her Arabic language skills.
Journeys in Learning and Creativity
This meeting featured participants sharing their personal experiences and challenges, particularly focusing on language learning, academic achievements, and creative activities. Naila discussed her journey through different educational settings, including public and Islamic schools, and highlighted her achievements in coding and graphic design. Falisha shared her creative pursuits in painting and photography, as well as her published short stories. Emir talked about his passion for drawing and his experiences with art competitions. Ica described her cooking skills and her ability to manage both academic work and a small business. The discussion emphasized the importance of perseverance and family support in overcoming challenges.
Empowerment Through Hearing Challenges
This meeting focused on sharing experiences and challenges related to hearing loss, with participants including individuals who overcame these challenges through various avenues such as dance, piano, and art. The discussion highlighted that hearing challenges can be transformed into opportunities for growth and personal empowerment.
The event concluded with plans for monthly stock-editing sessions to further motivate parents and individuals with hearing loss, with the next meeting inviting two familiar faces to discuss topics related to hearing challenges and parental encouragement.
28 November 2025