I met 12-year-old Lauren Brooks and her hearing dog Sam at the Hearing Dog of the Year Awards 2011. Lauren was one of 12 deaf children who took part in a three-year pilot study. We wanted to see if the life-changing impact that a hearing dog has on an adult could be extended to children. The answer is overwhelmingly yes. And now, having Sam has given Lauren a new-found sense of independence, confi dence, self-esteem and companionship.
Recently, I also had the pleasure of meeting nine-year-old James Cheung and his hearing dog Kurt, who has also had his life changed in so many ways. Bedtime used to be stressful for the Cheung family as James would struggle to relax, afraid that if anything happened in the night he wouldn’t be able to hear it. Now, with Kurt settled close by, James sleeps soundly knowing that his special yellow Labrador is there to alert him to any danger.
As a campaigner for children and disability, and having suffered deafness myself as a child, I know that deafness can be devastating for both the child and their family. Without the right support it can affect the child’s early development and limit their potential. It’s clear that a hearing dog can really boost a deaf child’s confi dence, encouraging them to communicate outside their immediate family and even instigate conversation – often for the first time.
James’ mum, Louise, told me: “James gets a great deal of enjoyment and pride from having a hearing dog. Alongside the benefi ts to James’ confi dence and well-being, the two have formed a very solid bond and James describes Kurt as his best friend!”
Following the overwhelming success of these fi rst partnerships, Hearing Dogs wants to extend its services to train more special dogs for deaf children. To do this we need your support.
Every year in the UK around 60 babies are born with a severe to profound hearing loss.
With your help we can change the lives of more deaf children. Please consider making a donation, however small; every pound will make a difference.
Thank you so much.
Esther Rantzen
Childline founder, presenter, journalist and ambassador for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People
(Clicking on 'Donate now' will take you to our Appeal page on Just Giving)
