Hearing impaired, or deaf children enjoy music making just as much as non-hearing impaired children. Taking part in, and listening to music involves more than just the ear – there are many non-auditory responses and processes -from physical aspects and vibrations, to making eye contact and watching for cues.
Importantly, music making increases confidence and reduces isolation for deaf children and young people, as well as encouraging and supporting creativity and communication.
Deafness as a term is used for a wide range of hearing impairment – from being profoundly deaf, with no hearing at all, to some hearing loss in one or both ears. Cochlear Implants (“CI’s”) are electronic medical devices that can replace the function of the damaged inner ear and send signals to the brain, whereas hearing aids amplify existing sounds reaching the ear.
Watch this video of Danny Lane, Artistic Director of Music and the Deaf speaking about the importance of music for deaf people – and the impact his primary school teacher had when she insisted that everyone in the class learned to play a brass instrument.
