Sound advice
People with hearing loss need outlet to relax, take a break from visual, auditory noise
Hi everyone. I am a little behind with this article so I apologize for this. It’s been a busy time with our year-end and getting proposals into our funders for the upcoming year.
The society has been busy offering classes and making connections in the community. On May 11, a group of five people completed a six-week speech-reading and communication awareness class.
Those taking part included those shown above, Wendy Snook, Sandy Evely, myself, and Voni King and two others who were absent for the photo. The class met once a week and we discussed communication topics that affect people with hearing loss and for those who are family and friends of people with hearing loss, we looked at
ways to improve our communication skills. Remember that communication is a two-way street and for effective communication to take place we all have a responsibility.
We talked about how we hear, why we hear some sounds (including speech) and not other
sounds, communication tips and techniques, speech-reading along with myths and misunderstandings, assistive technologies, noise, and supportive resources.
The society also received funding from the Central Cape Breton Community Health
Board to offer a Peers in the Pier Art Therapy Program to people with hearing loss. It is very stressful for people with hearing loss to listen with one’s eyes having to rely on eye contact, lip movements, residual hearing, good lighting,
piecing together parts of words, and competing with background noise, among other factors. The hard of hearing person works twice and three times as hard as people with “normal” hearing to gain information and that is only if the person sending the information is co-operative and providing a smooth and effective communication channel. People with hearing loss need an outlet to relax and take a break from visual and auditory noise. Painting can be one such outlet. The painting class is small, relaxed, and expressive. It provides a venue for like-minded individuals to come together, make friendships, and learn from one another, and share a few laughs. No experience is required. The art classes are being offered in partnership with the Whitney Pier Society of the Arts.
Other community partners include Cape Breton’s Student Union’s Capers Helping Capers recipients for 2017. We are very happy to be selected and look forward to participating where we can.
In time for Father’s Day, the society is selling tickets on two draws for one dozen lobster and snow crab. Tickets are $2 each or three for $5. You can pick yours up at the society’s office or we will be at the Regional Hospital on June 8, and June 13. You can also visit us at Parkland Cape Breton on Saturday June 3 for their Seniors Health Fair from 1 – 3:30 p.m.
The society is a non-profit charitable organization located at 762 Victoria Road in Whitney Pier. Clare and I look forward to hearing from you. You may reach us at 902-564-0003 or cbdeaf@ns.sympatico.ca.
It all starts hear.