First Prize, 15-18 years
There are 9 million deaf people in the U.K, 34,000 of which are children and young people. It doesn’t matter whether a deaf person has mild deafness, moderate deafness, severe deafness or is profoundly deaf there are always solutions such as technology equipment such as hearing aids or cochlear implants. There are other solutions such as lip reading and sign language.
Two million people in the U.K have hearing aid/s. Four million people don’t have hearing aid/s - this is a high number and I think that people who want to have a hearing aid/s or cochlear implants should investigate what equipment is useful for them. It would lead to an easier way of life. They would benefit from it hugely.
I think that deaf people should be treated equally as hearing people: examples, more subtitled shows at cinemas, interpreters at shows, pantomimes and other public places where a deaf person needs help with communication in some way. I think that these services should be funded by the government. I also think that there should be more deaf awareness taught around the U.K: examples, staff in supermarkets, high street shops, churches, restaurants, cafes and the most important of all are doctors, hospitals, dentists and other medical care centres. I would benefit hugely if this problem was solved because me myself as a deaf person can struggle at times when I go out to public places such as shops.
Another thing is that new buildings that are being built should be built with sound fields or loop systems. More DVD’S should include either a choice of subtitles or a signer. I find that many DVD’S that my family have bought in the past have no subtitles so therefore I can’t watch it. Also modern mobile phones as seen in shops should contain all the features that a deaf person needs.
I think that a lot of deaf people would benefit from a waterproof hearing-aid/s which has different levels for different kinds of deafness. These waterproof hearing aids could be used in swimming pools in the sea and other wet areas when it’s raining. This way they wouldn’t miss out talking to and hearing friends/family or even a deaf person who can’t communicate. They would have to be a small object that fits into the ear so that they don’t fall out and get lost. Normal digital and analogue hearing aids are not allowed to get wet.
I also think that higher powered hearing aids should be created for profoundly deaf people. It would be loud enough so that a deaf person can hear all the correct sounds that are being said and this could improve their speech. Also in shops and other public places they may hear what the person is saying more clearly. It could be electrically chargeable although this wouldn’t be good for the environment, so high powered batteries could be made.
Also a person with no hearing or little hearing should be provided with a choice of having a hearing dog for the deaf, this helps deaf people have a more independent life and not rely on others too much. A higher local service should be provided for deaf people if they are in need of something or having difficulties with something. They should be provided with a person who works at that local area and is able to get in touch with them as confidently as possible. They should always have support no matter how old they are.
Winning entries
12-14 years |
15-18 years |
First Prize |
First Prize |
Runners-up |
Runner-up |
