It’s World Hearing Day on Sunday 3 March. And we want to spread awareness that music can be shared with and enjoyed by people experiencing hearing loss. So, we spoke to Anna, one of our music therapists, who shared her top tips for making music with people who are hearing impaired.
Make sure to look at the person you’re making music with
It’s important to remember to face towards the person you’re making music with if they’re hearing impaired. This will ensure that it’s as easy as possible for them to lipread or understand any gestures that you make.
Good lighting – it’s a must!
Good lighting can be really important when making music with someone who is hearing impaired. This will ensure that they’re able to see your face clearly the entire time!
Why not try other methods of communication?
Remember that spoken language isn’t the only method of communication – and there are other ways that may be helpful to people who experience hearing loss. Some examples are British Sign Language (BSL), Makaton or visual cues such as pictures or printed lyrics. Even exaggerated hand or body movements can be a helpful way to communicate, especially whilst singing!
