Improve lipreading classes for people with hearing loss

Lipreading is a vital communication skill for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. It helps to build confidence and independence, avoid social isolation and keep people in employment. Lipreading is a useful coping mechanism for the full spectrum of hearing loss and can be used to supplement hearing aids to maximise communication skills.

The best way to learn to lipread is through regular classes by a qualified tutor. However an RNID report found that in England there are too few classes and many people with a hearing loss are unable to attend. Many classes have closed and many more are threatened with closure. This is because the vital skill of lipreading is classified as a ‘leisure’ activity meaning that little central funding is available to run the classes and learners are expected to pay high fees.

RNID, the charity taking action on hearing loss, is calling on the Government to reclassify lipreading as an ‘essential’ skill so more people can attend a class that is available at little to no cost to them.

Please sign our petition to show your support for people with a hearing loss to have access to learn this vital skill or their communication and encourage others to do so.