Listening Bus goes on tour at school (From Free Press Series)

Listening Bus goes on tour at school

THE COUNTRY'S only charity supporting deaf children gave their profile a boost with an innovative tour bus that stopped at a Cwmbran school.

The National Deaf Children's Society's vehicle, The Listening Bus, called in at Hollybush Primary school yesterday to help make other youngsters aware of the difficulties deaf youngsters overcome.

Staff on the bus showcased a variety of hi-tech aids and information available for deaf children, their families and teachers.

The Listening Bus hosts a unique exhibition that also provides a quiet room where parents and teachers can talk to the roadshow team in greater privacy.

The society's roadshow staff were on board to demonstrate the latest technological advances aimed at improving a deaf child's life. Some of the high-tech gadgets include vibrating pagers and alarm clocks, flashing doorbells and specialist phones, which visitors get to try out on the bus.

Recent statistics have found that three babies are born deaf every day and over 35,000 youngsters throughout the country have some level of permanent deafness.

In addition, as many as one in four children may experience temporary deafness caused by a condition known as glue ear.

Gadgets like the ones on board the NCDS bus could make all the difference for deaf children, improving their ability to communicate, gain confidence and independence and help them at school.

Vicki Mitchell, NDCS Roadshow Co-ordinator said: "It's great to be able to give deaf children a chance to have a 'real' phone conversation with their friends and family on the bus. Often they have never tried a specialised phone with the volume boost or the 'T' switch facility before. It's wonderful to see their faces light up and to hear them chatting and listening with ease. Similarly, the children who visit love typing to each other on the textphones - I think they see it as a secret messaging system!"