More thoughts on Lipreading and listening with cochlear implants
Hello I'm Gloria McGregor.
Practising lipreading through the website sessions can help but nothing can match the fun and interaction that you will have if you go to a lipreading class or support group. It's a good opportunity for swapping useful strategies and chatting in a safe environment. I made some fantastic friends through lipreading classes and I hope that you will too!
Remember that when you are lipreading people speaking, they will not always be in exactly the right position for you. It's important to know this and also to recognise that even in lipreading classes what is good for you may not be good for others and vice versa. We all do our best to ensure that others can lipread us easily BUT it can often be mission impossible. Remember too that in a lipreading class or video session one has the opportunity to stop and revisit what may have been unclear to us. It is not always possible in everyday life to do this.
Lastly, may I say a very big thank you for all your comments and critiques which have been studied with care. It has been astounding to receive so much feedback not only from the UK but also from the USA, Australia, Italy, Spain, Singapore, China and France. I have also been pleased that my work is being included in programmes of study by professionals both at home and abroad to complement their own lipreading classes. My visit to Hé University , Shenyang, China in 2013 to speak to 2000 students at the beginning of their further education was one of the most exciting things I have experienced and it was a privilege to be asked to speak. I will continue to do my best to make lipreading a priority for all of us who need it.
To those of you who have been or are on a journey to hearing with cochlear implants I send my best wishes and hope that if you decide that they are for you, they will be successful and bring you as much joy as mine have done for me!! I hope too that this website may help you to get the most from your new hearing and listening skills. I have enjoyed hearing from those who have contacted me re their cochlear journey. Don’t forget to use the NCIUA website and that of your chosen CI for more useful information. There are local CI groups around the country where you can go prior to having an implant and speak with users. Thery are very friendly social groups and well worth go if you can. Of course you can then keep going and again friendships can be made. https://www.nciua.org.uk
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Many thanks to you all.