In the UK, 18 million adults are deaf or have hearing loss, many of whom face invisible challenges. Hear Me!, an exhibition at The University of Manchester, highlights the invisible impact of hearing loss, tinnitus, and dizziness by showcasing the lived experiences of those affected. 

Through powerful personal stories, photography, poetry, and ink drawings, participants have represented their hearing loss in different ways to reflect their own experiences.  

Led by Dr Karolina Kluk, Director of Social Responsibility in the School of Health Sciences, the project has uncovered stories from members of the public through artwork and conversation. The exhibition was initially held in the Jean McFarlane Building, where it took centre stage throughout October. You can now visit the exhibition at the Manchester Deaf Centre. 

Many were photographed by Anatomy Projects using a 150-year-old camera, which invited the participants to ‘meet the camera’s gaze’. They also engaged in one-on-one conversations with Audiology students, where they could share their personal experiences of hearing loss.  

Artwork and accounts of dizziness captured in the exhibition.

The project also highlighted the stories of those living with tinnitus and dizziness, respectively. Across the globe, tinnitus affects over 740 million adults, with more than 120 million people perceiving it to be a ‘major problem’ in their lives. 

Participants living with dizziness and tinnitus created watercolour paintings, ink sketches, and other artworks to portray the impact on their daily lives. Through written and spoken interviews, they also shared personal stories of their experiences, uncovering the physical and emotional effects. 

As an often-invisible disability, the challenges of hearing loss can sometimes go unnoticed by others. Through the exhibition, participants have had the opportunity to share their stories and offer important insights into the realities of living with hearing loss and other audiological conditions.  

The exhibition is now on display at the Manchester Deaf Centre, located in Crawford House. You can also visit the exhibition webpage to engage with art from the project and read interviews and first-hand accounts from participants.  

How to communicate with someone who is deaf or has hearing loss. 

Three simple ways to start: 

1. Get my attention – Use simple gestures like waving to get my attention. 

1. Face me – Please face me when you talk to me. Lots of people rely on lipreading to some degree to understand. 

1. Be patient – Don’t be afraid to repeat or rephrase and try something different. 

More communication tips are available here.  

Find out more on their blog.

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