"He could always learn lip-reading!"

Have you ever felt like making this remark?

If you have you ever been irritated into making this sort of remark about someone with hearing loss, it would probably help to understand why it is unfair.

Lip-reading classes can be fun, and they do help people with hearing loss feel better, learning and laughing together with others who are experiencing the similar problems..

Problems with lip reading

I have to say, though, that I have found lip-reading classes of limited practical use, because in real situations people face away as they talk; speak too quickly or slur their words without properly moving their lips.

Also some words look the same on the lips, like 'share' and 'chair'; 'shoot' and 'shoes'; and 'juice and June' because it is the invisible position of the tongue that is making the words sound different. These are simple examples, which one might possible work out from context, if one was sufficiently quick-thinking. However, when it comes to more complex multi-syllable words that look the same like 'Singapore' and 'Istanbul', it really gets too tough.

The only realistic way forward

Although anyone who has lip-read from birth may be able to cope, it really would be expecting too much to believe that someone who has lost hearing in their later years can become competent. Acceptance of this is the only way forward.

---

Disclaimer: The information on this site is for a lay audience and I cannot be responsible for errors or omissions. The views, strategies, advice and suggestions etc are based on my personal experience and are not necessarily appropriate for anyone else. They should, hopefully, stimulate individuals to develop their own strategies.