Lip-reading tutors to be trained to help deaf

Published on 11/11/2012 00:00

A course has been set up to train lip-reading tutors who will help people with hearing loss.

The Scottish Government-funded course will initially train 14 students over nine months. They will be trained in how to organise, plan, teach and evaluate a lip-reading class for adults with acquired hearing loss whose preferred mode of communication is spoken language.

Lip-reading classes provide skills and support for some of the 850,000 people in Scotland with some degree of hearing loss.

The course to train tutors is one result of a £200,000 investment in a Scottish Gov­ernment-led group whose aim is to improve access to lip reading.

Public Health Minister Michael Matheson said: “The ability to lip read is a key step in enabling someone with hearing loss to be an active member of the community and lead a full and independent life.

“The course is not just about learning the skills of lip reading. People diagnosed with a hearing loss can become very isolated and by attending lip-reading classes they can get valuable support, advice and companionship.

“It is clear to me that these services must continue to develop so I am delighted that there is already a high demand for a place on the next course.

“Through our forthcoming sensory impairment strategy we hope to improve services and the lives of people with a sensory impairment across the country.”