HARD OF HEARING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 September 1938, Page 3

HARD OF HEARING

WELLINGTON BRANCH ACTIVITIES LIP-READING CLASSES “It is not commonly realised by those of us who enjoy normal hearing the strain and anxiety imposed on those who suffer from an insidious form of progressive deafness, and it is in these cases that the league’s work is of special value in helping them to retain their occupations and social intercourse,” states Dr G. W. Harty, presidenty of the Wellington branch of the New Zealand League of the Hard of Hearing. The honorary secretary, Mr A. Nicholson, in' his annual report, states that full membership of the branch is now 155, including 80 student members, who have received instructions in lip-reaa-ing. The total number who have received tuition since the inauguration of the branch is 108. Marked increase in the attendance at lip-reading classes has taken place this year. The success of the classes has been largely due to the guidance of Miss M. Eggleton, herself an expert lip-reader, who is not only an excellent teacher, but who possesses the ability to restore her pupils’ self-confidence. Her personality is endearing to all who come in contact with her. The league recommends combining the senses of sight and hearing and encourages the use of hearing aids of reliable makes, which amplify sound and stimulate the auditory nerves. The late Mrs A. Hartley, a former student member of the league, by remembering the league in her will, made the purchase of a group hearing aid possible. There are now seven picture houses in Wellington equipped with a certain number of the latest earphones, making it possible for the hard of hearing once again to enjoy film entertainment as they did in the days of silent films.