Lipreading Awareness Week upcoming in Shropshire’s libraries

Libraries in Shropshire are to host taster sessions led by lipreading tutor Sally Joyner to highlight Lipreading Awareness Week running from Monday 12 September to Sunday 18 September 2016.

Hearing loss affects one in six of the population in this country and, on average, it takes people 10 years to do something about their hearing problem. Modern hearing aids are excellent, smart, neat, mini-computers, but they still don’t cure hearing loss. ‘Lipreading and managing hearing loss’ classes provide techniques for coping with or without aids, teaching confidence, tactics and strategies to communicate better. Advice about equipment and support organisations is also offered.

Stuart West, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for leisure and culture, said:

“Many people struggle with their hearing and these taster sessions can really help people improve communication and inform them about support available in their local area. Libraries are ideal places to find this kind of support and information.”

Taster sessions will take place on Monday 12 September at Bridgnorth Library and on Tuesday 13 September at Oswestry Library, both dates/venues from 10.30am to 11.30am, and 12noon to 1pm. Please email bridgnorth.library@shropshire.gov.uk or oswestry.library@shropshire.gov.uk  for more details, and to reserve your place.

For more information about other free taster sessions and classes taking place during Lipreading Awareness Week visit the Atla website, http://atlalipreading.org.uk.

For more information about your local library visit shropshire.gov.uk/libraries. If you’d like to know more about health and well-being in libraries contact Mirka Duxberry, library commissioning manager for health and reading on mirka.duxberry@shropshire.gov.uk.