Not least, in that those who profess to want to learn, are not turning up to do that. Mostly the issue of lip-reading ignores many basics, deaf do not prefer this mode, hard of hearing class attendances are by people with residual hearing, and the success rate even for them is less than 28%,and given many are elderly and the classes ill-equipped to deal with those with hearing loss still. It's become an 'Tupperware' set up for the few.
4,700 out of an potential 9 million, you do the maths.... If lip-reading is advantageous, why aren't people turning up ? could it be the class tuition is useless and ill-formed ? I found it pointless for ANYONE with an serious loss, regardless of age or class availability, it is geared against those who most need it.. 2 hour sessions for the MOST able to hear ! Perhaps should carry an waiver "NO use if you have hearing loss..."
Quote: "Lip-reading for a court requires meticulous record-keeping, from the moment an inquiry is received, with a lengthy and detailed written report submitted to the court, supported by cross-examination from the opposing side," explains Ms Lannin, a qualified teacher of lip-reading to adults and a deaf-awareness trainer who has been working as a forensic lip-reader for eight years.
She can lip-read English, Japanese, German, Spanish and Arabic. "Lip-reading for the media requires a fast turnaround and willingness to lip-read colourful language. Lip-reading socially often involves 'live' lip-reading and reporting at an event, or lip-reading a video recording of an event."
Such expertise comes at a price: forensic lip-readers charge in the region of between £40 and more than £100 for an hour, or about £600 for a full day covering something such as a sporting event or the royal wedding.
Yet, despite the growing exposure of lip-reading as a commercial skill, the provision of lip-reading classes is falling. A national charity, is urging the Government to recognise lip-reading as a valuable skill.
The number of classes in England fell by 8 per cent this year compared with 2010. There was also a 10 per cent decrease in learners. In June last year, there were 451 classes in England and Wales, with an estimated 4,739 learners. A separate report suggested there were 63 lip-reading classes in Scotland, with an average of 11 people per class."
(WALES)
SOURCE and More
