Debenhams and Action on Hearing Loss team up to promote deaf awareness with facemasks on mannequins, challenging the public to ‘read their lips’

A press release:

Action on Hearing Loss, the UK’s leading charity for those affected by deafness or hearing loss, has teamed up with Debenhams during National Lip Reading Week (14th-21st September) to highlight the need for retailers and the general public to be more deaf aware.

The charity has placed facemasks on mannequins in Debenhams’ flagship store windows on Oxford Street alongside ‘live’ mannequins. The facemasks carry the slogan “Read my lips…#bedeafaware” to highlight the communication barriers of face coverings for anyone who relies on lipreading. The mask aims to encourage the public to be aware of face covering exemptions and to raise awareness of how to communicate with people who have hearing loss or deafness.  

With face coverings now mandatory in all shops, they are having a huge impact on the deaf, hearing loss and tinnitus communities who rely on lip reading. Action on Hearing Loss is concerned that face covers are a communication barrier for 12 million people in the UK who are deaf or have hearing loss, resulting in many feeling even more isolated and scared at an already difficult time. To help tackle this new issue, the charity has designed some communication tips¹ to help communicate better with those that need it and have teamed up with high street retailer Debenhams to help promote these.

Many people who are deaf or have hearing loss rely heavily on visual cues for effective communication including facial expressions and lip-reading. Being able to see lip patterns and facial expressions is also vital for those who communicate through British Sign Language. Words, which sound similar but have different meanings become very difficult to distinguish. This can lead to a breakdown in communication.

Mark Atkinson, Chief Executive at Action on Hearing Loss said;

“Too often people living with deafness and hearing loss find that society isn’t deaf aware. For people with hearing loss to be able to go about their daily lives it is now even more important that everyone, especially those providing frontline services to the public, considers how they communicate with each other to be as inclusive as possible. Where facemasks are worn and lip-reading isn’t possible then people can still follow a number of simple communication tips:  speaking clearly and slowly whilst using plain language, using assistive devices such as hearing loops and microphones and reducing the amount of background noise such as piped music. If this still proves difficult then people should be prepared to write information down for those with hearing loss.” 

Jacqui Press, a Trustee for Action on Hearing Loss who has hearing loss herself, and is and one of the UK’s leading experts in lip reading added:

“With the use of face coverings, many people are realising how much they rely on lip-reading and are becoming aware of problems with their hearing for the first time. The general public need to be more understanding of those in society that will be struggling with masks. There are exemptions for not wearing a face covering include travelling with, or providing assistance to someone who relies on lip-reading to communicate. Today we are trying to help the public understand this and give them tips on how to make the situation better for everyone.” 

A spokesperson from Debenhams said;

“The safety and comfort of all our customers and colleagues is of paramount importance. We are closely following government guidelines and encouraging all of our customers to follow them, whilst recognising there are exceptions to the requirements on face coverings. We have provided our colleagues with a face visor or mask to help keep each other safe, and we will be encouraging them to use these communication tips, to help communicate as clearly as possible and make sure we can support our customers with hearing loss.”

Samantha Baines, an award-winning comedian, actor, hearing aid wearer and Action on Hearing Loss Ambassador who took part in the event as one of the ‘live’ mannequins added;

“This isn’t just about masks, this is about changing behaviours. It’s so important that everyone understands how isolating it can be to leave your house and not be able to understand anyone. Even buying a loaf of bread becomes a huge trial. There are very simple ways to be deaf aware that can make a huge impact.”

If you are concerned about your hearing or want more information please contact us by calling 0808 808 0123 or emailing information@hearingloss.org.uk.”