Online Lipreading practice resource

Gloria, the creator of the online lipreading practice resource http://www.lipreadingpractice.co.uk/Lip-Reading-Exercises/ has shared with us how her website came about. To learn why, read on

Hello I’m Gloria McGregor.  I have had a severe hearing since my early thirties.  I was a primary school teacher and losing most of my high frequency hearing meant that I could no longer hear what the children said.   I loved teaching!   It was so exciting to see children and adult develop and become excited about their achievements. How lucky I was to have a job that I really enjoyed.  Hearing aids in both ears didn’t help much and there were few assistive devices.  I was fortunate to become a head teacher so that I no longer had to spend all my time in the classroom where I felt very vulnerable because of my poor hearing.  I had responsibility for the success of the school eventually felt that my hearing loss prevented me from doing this as I would wish. Sadly I took early retirement and thought that my teaching days were over.

The impact on my life was devastating.  I felt that I had lost my identity. I became easily upset and hated going out because with any background noise although I could hear lots of noise I couldn’t make sense of what was being said.  I felt I was being left out and the sense of isolation was intense.  Entertaining at home was better because I could be busy!     Life was very stressful and my confidence was at rock bottom.  I am sure that very many other hearing impaired people feel the same way.

I knew that I had to do something and searched for some kind of self-confidence course but could find nothing suitable.    

What should I do?   I began teaching again.   I used my educational expertise to work one to one with children and adults including a young deaf boy.  Because I had more time I went to lip reading classes.   They were a lifeline.   I was invited to join an advanced group and made some very good friends.  I have also regained some of the confidence that I lost when I lost my hearing. 

I taught lip reading in Essex and Suffolk until 2009 when I retired again. I still run two local lip reading support groups.   I have first-hand experience of how lip reading has improved my confidence and I have seen how it can help others. The sense of isolation so often felt, can be helped through the support and friendship of the group members and by developing lip reading skills.   It is a joy to see the group’s interaction.

Because of my own experiences I wanted to help others.   I decided that making a lip reading CD could be of benefit to people. Those unable to go to a class, for whatever reason, could practise lip reading using the CD.   I worked very hard but it was not to be. The CD could not be read on all computers.

My husband knew how much this meant to me so we bought in professional web designers and a film team.  The result is (www.)lipreadingpractice.co.uk. 

I research and write all the material e.g. sounds; rhythm; plus information and tips on lip reading and useful resources with links to other websites.  Then, although I hate having my photo taken, I am filmed, in a studio, which although tiring can be fun!  After checking each video clip received, I put in the subtitles to synchronise with my speech.   (I especially wanted to use removable subtitles so that the work could be self-correcting).      Finally the timed subtitling is sent to the web team who tidy it up and put the finished work onto the website designed by them.  Everything is checked again.  It is a time consuming process but I hope the website is going to be very helpful to all who use it.

My aims were to demonstrate the value of lip reading in everyday life and to provide an opportunity to practise in a safe environment.  Most importantly the site had to be free to use!   

The response to the website has been amazing! 
 

I am now corresponding with people, some of whom are professionals, in Italy, Australia and the USA.  I have been amazed and thrilled to know that both young and older people are using it and also that it is helping people who have had cochlear implants to practise their lipreading skills.

Through learning to lipread and finding strategies that work for us in everyday situations we can all have more independence and will be better able to contribute to society.



Giving speech at University in China

wearing traditional gown of Professor

 

I hope that everyone who uses “lipreading practice” finds it helpful and that where possible it encourages them to go to lipreading classes.  The expertise of the tutor and the support and friendship of the group members can be fantastic whilst practising in a group can add to individual confidence. 

If there is anything that you would like to see on my website please let me know and if it is possible I will do my best to include it.

Since producing this website I have been to a University in China to speak at the opening ceremony of the new semester to 2000 new students.  It was a great honour and very exciting.    You never know what life has in store for you so you must be ready to seize every opportunity!

I shall continue, as long as I can, to promote lip reading!