Rula – ambassador for the awards – presented this year’s top accolade to 77-year-old Alan Roberts from Bromley at the event held at the exclusive Saville Club.
The Sound Barrier Star Awards were set up in 2009 and launched to recognise and reward the achievements of those who are deaf or have profound hearing loss.
Despite losing his hearing after a bout of tubercular meningitis at the age of 19, Alan has gone on to achieve a huge amount as he worked to improve the lives of deaf people.
He is a sub-committee member of Action on Hearing Loss and has helped the National Association of Deafened People, and the Council for the Advancement of Communication with Deaf People as a deaf awareness trainer and lip speaking examiner.
Alan has also committed himself to ensuring the availability of subtitles for a number of both analogue and digital TV channels where he was actively involved in organising and chairing meetings with large groups.
He said: “I am absolutely delighted to have won. Deaf awareness is so important and I think the awards do a great job of helping to bring important issues to the forefront.”
Alan, who briefly presented for BBC See Hear, was previously awarded the British Empire Medal in 1992 for his services to assist the deaf people.
Also making the final was hearing dog recipient, Sheila Ashton from Wigan in Lancashire.
Sheila’s story is equally as inspiring. Despite losing her hearing in a work accident at just 27, Sheila adjusted to life without hearing and has since gone on to become a champion and spokesperson on deaf issues.
She is the proud recipient of hearing dog Nina who she cites as a big inspiration in her life.
Sheila, now 72, said: “Life has dramatically changed now – Nina has really helped me get my independence back. The attitude to deafness has changed from 45 years ago and society wants to help you rather than ignore you.”
Sheila and Alan were among five finalists from across the UK who attended the event at the exclusive Saville Club in Central London.
The judges for the event were made up of Mathew Gully – director of Specsavers Hearing Centres, Jenny Smith MBE – trustee at Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, and health editor for the Mail on Sunday, Barney Calman.
Specsavers has more than 400 hearing centres nationwide and have supported the awards since its launch in 2009.
As winner, Alan receives a £1,500 voucher courtesy of the river cruise specialist Take Me Too and £1,500 Hearing Centres voucher from Specsavers.
