Hearing dog charity urges Northampton residents to take 10 simple steps to break down communication barriers for deaf people

As Deaf Awareness Week (4–10 May) gets underway, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, is urging people in Northampton to take simple but meaningful steps to improve communication with deaf residents, in line with this year’s theme: breaking down barriers.

The charity, which has a training centre in the town, says that while awareness of deafness is improving, communication barriers remain one of the biggest challenges faced by the deaf community.

“Hearing dogs provide life-changing support for deaf people, alerting them to important and often life-saving sounds, as well as helping them feel more independent, and more connected,” said David Robson, a spokesperson for the charity. “But inclusion goes beyond the work of our dogs - it’s about how we all communicate and interact every day. Small changes in behaviour can make a huge difference.”

To support Deaf Awareness Week, the charity has released 10 Top Tips we can all put into practice when speaking to someone who is deaf or has hearing loss:

1.      Find out how the person prefers to be communicated with. It’s okay to ask what their preferred communication method is.

2.      Make sure you have their attention before talking. For example, lightly tap them on the arm. It’s far easier for someone to understand you if they know you are talking to them.

3.      Always face the person you’re talking to. Make eye contact and try to avoid covering your mouth, chewing, or turning away, as many deaf people rely on lipreading.

4.      Speak normally – don’t exaggerate, shout or speak much slower than you normally would. This can distort the way your mouth moves and your facial expressions, which makes it harder for people to lipread.

5.      Don’t say “It doesn’t matter ...” If someone asks you to repeat yourself, even several times, don’t give up and say, “Oh it doesn’t matter”. This can make someone feel that what they are saying isn’t important, or that they don’t matter. Try rephrasing what you want to say, or finding another way to say the same thing. 

6.      Stand somewhere with suitable lighting. Strong directional light, such as bright sunshine behind you, can make it difficult for others to see your face clearly.

7.      If possible, move to a quieter place with less background noise. Hearing when there is background noise can be particularly difficult for people with any level of hearing loss.

8.      Use non-verbal communication. Some deaf people use British Sign Language (BSL) or Sign Supported English (SSE), so learning the basics could help.

9.      Try writing it down. If someone struggles to lipread what you are saying, try writing it down on paper or a phone screen, for example.

10. Take turns to talk. If you are with more than one person, make sure only one person talks at a time.

Maxine Clare was partnered with her hearing dog Walter, a Cocker Spaniel, in 2016. She said, “When my own hearing loss deteriorated, I discovered just how isolating deafness can be. It wasn’t just about missing sounds; it was missing that connection with people.

“If I didn’t respond, people assumed I was ignoring them. I’ve been pushed, dragged, screamed at and sworn at – just because I didn’t hear people asking me to move. These moments are what make me so passionate about deaf awareness.

“Walter wears a burgundy jacket that signals he’s a hearing dog. That jacket does more than grant access; it sparks conversations and breaks down barriers.

“If I could leave you with one thought it would be that next time, if someone doesn’t respond when you’re talking to them, instead of feeling affronted, embarrassed or frustrated, maybe your first thought should be, ‘Perhaps they’re deaf.’”

The charity has also developed a practical guide called, ‘It Matters’, which offers simple advice to help people communicate more effectively and confidently with deaf people, reinforcing the message that small actions can have a big impact.

By encouraging people not to shy away from engaging deaf people in conversation, and by offering simple steps to make communication easier, the guide underlines a powerful message at the heart of the Deaf Awareness Week campaign: that everyone deserves to feel included.

To download the guide, or find out more about Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, visit https://www.hearingdogs.org.uk/how-you-can-help/communication-guide