HARD OF HEARING

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 286, 30 August 1935, Page 17

HARD OF HEARING

Progress of Association

Substantial progress is recorded in the third annual report of the New Zealand League for the Hard of Hearing. Over 150 sufferers have received tuition since the inauguration of the association, .which has for its objects the assistance of the deaf. The association teaches lip. reading, demonstrates mechanical ’hearing aids, assists in flpding employment for the hard of hearing, fosters a spirit of sociability and provides books and pamphlets. The association received from Mr. Ernest Davis, Mayor of Auckland, the offer of an audimeter and Mr. T. R. Clarkson, B.Sc., of Wellington and Mr. K. Sanderson, B.Sc., of Auckland are now engaged the value of hearing aids. The association has three student teachers in - training for the teaching of lip reading, and has a library for members who desire home practice. In Auckland, where the league has its headquarters, several social functions have been held, and it is intended to continue these. The first branch of the league was formed in Wellington in September, at a meeting presided over by the Mayor, Mr. T. C. A. Hislop, and attended by the Minister of Health, Sir Alexander Young, and representatives of the 8.M,A., the National Council of Women. and the U.S.A. Through Mr. Hope B. Gibbons, a room, rent free for a year, was ' secured for lip-reading classes. Twenty-eight students enrolled. Mrs. G. A. Hurd-Wood conducted the classes, and the services of Miss G. Eggleton, the first trained teacher, have been offered for the ensuing year by the New Zealand League. The Wellington branch has a bank balance of £4l. In Auckland three theatres have been equipped with headphones for the hard of hearing.