Deaf Awareness Week - I Definitely Can!

Winn Solicitors is proud to be accredited by the Action on Hearing Loss Louder than Words Charter, which highlights the steps we have taken as a business to ensure that our services are accessible for those who are deaf or hard of hearing. This week, Action on Hearing Loss has been raising awareness about deafness through their Deaf Awareness Week – 'I Definitely Can!’ campaign.

We’re joining them in tearing up society’s assumptions about deaf and hard of hearing people and turning the spotlight on the incredible things that deaf people and people with hearing loss can do. This article celebrates the achievements of three deaf and hard of hearing people throughout history.

Meet Ben Cohen – English Rugby Union Winner

Ben Cohen is a former Rugby Union Player for England, and was a member of the team who won the 2003 Rugby World Cup. He has also played for Northampton Saints, Sale Sharks, and Brive in France. Ben also took part in television shows Strictly Come Dancing and The Jump!

To date, he has lost around 50 per cent of his hearing, and also has tinnitus, which means he often has to lip read.

Not only has Ben had a successful career as a rugby player, but he also started a charitable foundation known as the Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation. The foundation is dedicated to raising awareness of the long-term effects of bullying and homophobia. Grants raised by the charity have gone towards taking action on bullying across a wide range of areas, including schools, online, at work, in the LGBT community, and in sport.

Meet Thomas Edison – Inventor

Thomas Edison (1847-1931) is a well-known inventor, who developed many significant devices including the electric light and the motion picture camera. Edison was responsible for over one thousand patents, and many of his inventions had a real impact on modern life.

Edison developed hearing problems in his early years. While the reasons for his deafness are not certain, it is believed that it was as a result of scarlet fever during his childhood. Documents written by Edison credit his deafness with enabling him to have the focus to pursue his inventions.

Meet Ludwig van Beethoven – Composer

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) was a hugely influential German composer. He has many well-known works, including the Fifth Symphony and the Ninth Symphony. Beethoven’s hearing began to deteriorate in his 20s, when he suffered from tinnitus, and gradually worsened until he became profoundly deaf by the age of 46. The origin of his deafness, or exactly when he began to go deaf, is not known.

Some of Beethoven’s most notable works were produced after he was presumed to be completely deaf. During this time, he produced the aforementioned Ninth Symphony, which is famous around the world.

For more information about Action on Hearing Loss, and their fantastic work in raising awareness about deafness and hearing loss, click here.

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