RIGHT TO BE HEARD
Right to be heard focuses on deaf individuals, and how they have coped with mask-wearing and lockdown, just everyday life in general. With the pandemic, people have overlooked individuals with deafness when it comes to face masks and mental health. They rely on lip-reading to be able to understand others. It is a topic very close to my heart personally, and it should create conversations more often. Showcased through a series of portraits and their stories. Have a flick through the different sections to find out more about their experiences through lockdown as a deaf individual, and some quotes that may inspire people!
Right to be heard focuses on deaf individuals, and how they have coped with mask-wearing and lockdown, just everyday life in general. With the pandemic, people have overlooked individuals with deafness when it comes to face masks and mental health. They rely on lip-reading to be able to understand others. It is a topic very close to my heart personally, and it should create conversations more often. Showcased through a series of portraits and their stories. Have a flick through the different sections to find out more about their experiences through lockdown as a deaf individual, and some quotes that may inspire people!
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“Being deaf during lockdown has been incredibly
trying. On a typical day, lip-reading and the use
of hearing aids disguises the lack of awareness
in others and the intolerance. The wearing of
masks has been frustrating, upsetting and at times
provokes anger.
It makes me frustrated that people are
ignorant towards my communication needs
even though I wear a mask with big silver
writing on stating that I am a lip reader.
It’s upsetting because it makes me feel second
class and anger that I am made to feel this way.
time I felt like it was squashing my aids between
my ears and head giving my headaches. I now
wear them normal, but I have blister hot spots
where the elastic and aid rub against my ear. It
feels like a lose-lose situation.”
- Sami
I must admit that I have been lucky, I have stuck to
my local shops when I need to shop who know
me and do accommodate my communication
needs, but there is always the odd few.
I have struggled most within my work
environment. I work in the health and social
care sector as a healthcare assistant, my manager
and colleagues have been amazing but at times
people do forget, it happens (even after 22 years
my husband forgets sometimes).
The company I work for is different,
I feel like I have had a constant
battle for even the smallest things.
The wearing of a mask myself has proved
problematic at times too, I find using ear savers
get tangled with my aids and uncomfortable, I
used to wear a headband with buttons but over
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