Team XXX Million

Young girl doing a cartwheel.

“My brain just does it.”

Last week I spent time with my nephew and niece (11 and 9). They are excellent at communicating with me; they did not know me before I lost my hearing, so deaf communication is natural for them. Tapping me to get my attention is their norm.

I asked my niece whether she must stop and think each time she wants my attention, and remember about tapping me?

“No. My brain just does it.”

5-11 May is Deaf Awareness Week. Many of us, if not all, in Open Ears are all too aware of hearing loss.

We live with it, every day.

We’ve had no choice but to become aware of it.

The charity, Royal National Institute for the Deaf (RNID), say that there are over 18 million adults in the UK who are deaf.

The theme for Deaf Awareness Week 2025 is, ‘Beyond Silence’.

As well as celebrating the 18 million, let’s also celebrate the XXX million represented by my niece.

Those who have chosen to walk alongside people with hearing loss, allowing silence to become their world too, and, in doing so, showing that ‘Beyond Silence’ is possible.

When I lost my hearing, I was terrified.

I was stuck in silence, and there was no beyond.

Then cracks began to appear in the soundless wall surrounding me.

My mum fingerspelling words to me.

An audiologist I could understand.

My dad speaking clearly for me to lipread.

My sisters teasing me (our love language).

All these, and many more, helped – and help - me find life beyond silence.

It isn’t much fun for one, but two can stick together.

Winnie the Pooh

Thank you to the XXX million. My niece would be delighted that you’re on the same team as her, I’m sure. As she said, deaf communication comes naturally to her. Her brain just does it.

When I tell her how I appreciate her tapping me, she shrugs and smiles and skips off to do more cartwheels. Maybe she doesn’t realise how special it is.

Maybe others of the XXX million don’t realise how special their ‘my brain just does it’ moments are.

I think it’s time they knew.

So, as a deaf person approaching Deaf Awareness Week, I thank and celebrate the XXX million who are deaf-aware.

Who choose to become aware.

Who make life beyond silence possible for many people with hearing loss.

Who don’t stop at silence, but strive to move beyond it.

Thank you to each one.