BY NUALA MCALOON
The 5th - 11th May is Deaf Awareness Week and organisations working with deaf people are this year inviting the public to 'Look at Me'.
The theme aims to improve understanding of the different types of deafness by highlighting the many different methods of communication used by deaf and hard of hearing people.
One person who knows all too well the nature of this year's theme from a personal level is 'Fermanagh Herald' photographer Gerry Knight who was first diagnosed with substantial hearing loss 25 years ago.
His first hand experiences in embracing the everyday challenges of a hearing loss not only provides a thought-provoking insight for others in his position but also carries a number of lessons for those of us fortunate enough to have good hearing but due to our lack of awareness, are sometimes less than responsive towards those who rely on us most to help them communicate.
A positive man from the outset, Gerry adopted all the best measures following his diagnosis to ensure his life wouldn't be hindered by his hearing loss. However, he does admit that were a number of challenges along the way, particularly given his career as a newspaper photographer.
"Hearing can be difficult for me in some cases such as crowded rooms or in dealing with young children who are softly spoken for example," he explains.
"Sometimes it can be hard getting names for captions for example but I have a simple remedy. I tell people my hearing is not good and I let them write their own name."
This was not so easy initially.
"At the start I didn't know what I was going to do. It was a case of either stop doing the job or becoming more confident to approach the matter in a positive way and get on with it. It is very frustrating to miss a conversation when it is important to you.
"I have to say my wife Noelene has been a tremendous help to me, and on the funny side we can often have a second conversation on the way home from an event when she tells me everything that was said."
The use of a hearing aid has proved invaluable to Gerry in allowing him to continue his work professionally, as well as enjoy the more simple pleasures in life.
The modern hearing aid comes equipped with three settings. These include a normal setting; a T-setting which enables users to effectively use a loop system and the telephone; and a secondary setting which cuts out background noise helping users in crowded situations and noisy environments.
"It made an unbelievable change," Gerry continues. "To be able to hear yourself walking, and to hear everyday sounds that people take for granted like birds twittering or conversations, it was unbelievable."
The loop system which is available in most multi-national stores and banks, post offices, churches and theatres, help conversations become one-to-one for the user.
"I couldn't enjoy functions without the loop system because I simply wouldn't hear what is being said. It leaves people who don't have one or won't wear one very remote."
And it is on that basis, that Gerry encourages all hard of hearing people to seek advice.
"The service is there and is available on the NHS. People can make an appointment through their local doctor or the audiology department and they will find staff more than helpful to accommodate them.
"There is a vanity fear that both men and women have and some are really frightened to admit that they have a hearing loss and they won't wear a hearing aid in fear of been labelled handicapped."
But, for people coming to terms with a hearing loss, living in fear or denial of the level of their difficulties, Gerry suggests being confident and explaining you have a hearing loss.
"As well as making the best use of your hearing aid, people should learn to lip-read, and face everyone they are talking to. If I'm having difficulty I ask people to talk directly to me.
"One of the biggest problems is in shops and banks where a large number of staff who are not aware of your hearing loss have a very unfortunate habit of talking to the counter and not the person they are dealing with."
Gerry further recommends taking advantage of the Royal National Institution of the Deaf (RNID) of which he is a volunteer.
"Volunteers have all experienced a hearing loss and wear hearing aids, and are willing, in a confidential manner, to meet with those who have just acquired an aid and are having difficulty in getting used to wearing it."
As a RNID volunteer, Gerry covers the Fermanagh and Tyrone area on a referral basis. He can be contacted through various sectors including social workers, audiology departments or sometimes by families who have heard of the voluntary service.
"I visit the person affected in their home and always try to have a family member available at the same time. I find out what the problem is through the user. I check the hearing aids and ensure that all is working as it should be."
He also recommends a number of practical tips to make life easier.
"For instance, I visit a number of homes where the most used place is the dining room. For the person wearing a hearing aid, the sound of cutlery can be very deafening and they are inclined to take the hearing aid out rather than simply turn it down. Or I may discuss adjusting where they sit in the sitting room so there is no-one between them and the television, wee things like that can make a large difference."
Gerry explains that while he knows normal hearing people are neither intentionally disrespectful or ignorant, it can be frustrating to watch how they relate to those with a hearing loss.
"Normal hearing people are totally unaware of the problems experienced by those with a hearing loss and, if possible, if they see someone wearing a hearing aid, I would encourage them to make a better effort in how they deal with their conversations with that person. Talk slower, talk directly and don't walk away from the person having the conversation, stand with them until the conversation has finished."
And for those in his position, Gerry has the following advice:"Try to be confident. There is absolutely no shame in wearing a hearing aid. A hearing aid will not cure your loss but it will make life much more comfortable and enable you to relax in the knowledge that you can continue to play a part in society."
