Lip reading is a valuable skill for anyone with an acquired hearing loss. It helps to fill gaps in speech, especially those high frequency words that are harder to hear.
However, lip reading is not just about watching the mouth to read every spoken word; it also involves reading facial expression, anticipation skills, body language and gestures and also making use of any residual hearing.
Lip reading classes will also teach the lip shapes
of specific letter sounds. These sounds are grouped and studied together and predominantly focus on consonant shapes that are hard to hear but are easier to see. This is particularly useful for people with a high frequency loss.
Classes are generally small, informal and fun and provide students with the opportunity to meet people with similar challenges.
Class locations vary depending upon where you live. For details of classes offered by Deaflink please follow the link to our events page for more information or contact our lipreading teacher Louise Borrell by email louise@deaflink.org.uk or telephone 0191 2812314
For details of alternative classes in your area please contact the Association of Lipreading (ATLA) on their website atlalipreading.org ATLA will provide details of classes running that are taught by qualified lip reading teachers.