Lip-reading class set up for tutors

Nov 11 2012

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 just 14 students over nine months.

They will be trained in how to organise, plan, teach and evaluate a lip-reading class for adults with an 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 Scottish course to train tutors of lip reading was set up as part of a £200,000 investment for a Scottish Government-led group 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."

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