CamTAD - Campaign for Tackling Acquired Deafness

Lip Reading

Lip reading classes

There are lip reading classes available at Alfreton, Ashbourne, Belper, Buxton, Chesterfield, Clay Cross, Derby, Dronfield, Hope Valley, Matlock, Ripley and Swadlincote.

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Have you ever thought about joining a lip reading class? Do you know what to expect of a lip reading class? Why might you find it useful and beneficial? Who would it benefit?

 

If the answer to the first question is ‘No’, is that because you don’t know what happens? All sorts of things go on in a lip reading class – you’d be surprised what you learn. The most important thing to realise is that we have fun whilst we learn. A laugh and a joke are a very important way of helping us to relax. You can’t lip read or, for that matter, make the best use of you hearing aids if you are tense or worried or tired. Yes, we are learning to recognise lip patterns, but we practise in all kinds of different ways. We have interest pieces which might be about anything under the sun, a bit of history, a bit of science, a bit of geography when we hear about holidays, any topic that might prove stimulating. There might be quizzes, recipes, crosswords, or mystery objects.

 

At the same time we are learning tactics to cope with our hearing loss in difficult situations. We learn about equipment that might make a difference. We learn about useful organisations such as CamTAD and RNID. We learn about how our ears should work and different types of deafness and its effect. We learn about hearing aids and how to manage them. We discuss difficulties we may have had. Not only might there be a helpful suggestion but in discussion you will learn that other members of the class encounter similar problems and this makes one feel less isolated.

 

This last reason is a most compelling reason for attending a class. There you will be able to relax knowing that everyone in the class will understand the difficulties and will be supportive and friendly including the tutor, who is quite frequently deaf also. The other reason for attending is that you will learn how to supplement imperfect hearing with lip reading and hopefully find communication improved.

 

Everyone who is hearing impaired benefits, regardless of age. I have people in my classes across the age range. The other group of people who find it useful are partners and family, as they get to realise the problems and become more understanding and learn how best to help.

 

So why not give lip reading class a try? Once you set foot over the threshold, and that’s the most difficult bit, you will find it fun, interesting and wonder what took you so long!!!

 

Mary Bayntun

Lip reading Tutor in and around Derby.