Islanders will have the chance to learn more about the skill of lipreading during a free taster session being held in Douglas this week.

The Manx Deaf Society is marking Lipreading Awareness Week, which runs from September 7 to 11, with a one-hour session aimed at giving members of the public an insight into the concentration and skill involved in lipreading.

The free session will take place on Friday, September 11, from 10am to 11am at The Manx Deaf Society, 3 Somerset Road, Douglas.

Places are limited and must be booked in advance.

Lipreading Awareness Week is a national campaign organised by the Association of Teachers of Lipreading to Adults (ATLA), which aims to raise awareness of the skill and effort involved in lipreading while encouraging simple changes that can make conversations more accessible to deaf and hard-of-hearing people.

For many people with hearing loss, lipreading requires intense concentration to decipher and interpret lip shapes.

The Manx Deaf Society says small changes in the way people communicate can make a significant difference.

These include facing the person they are speaking to, keeping their mouth visible and providing context.

For example, rather than simply saying ‘holiday plans’, someone could say: ‘We're discussing our holiday plans with the family in Spain next month.’

Lucy Buxton, chief executive of The Manx Deaf Society, said the awareness week was an opportunity to demonstrate the skill involved.

‘Lipreading Awareness Week is a brilliant opportunity to show islanders just how much skill goes into lipreading, and how a few simple habits, facing someone, keeping your mouth visible, and giving context, can make everyday conversations so much more accessible.

‘We'd love to welcome people along to our free taster session to try it for themselves and find out more about the support we offer.’

Anyone wishing to attend the session can contact Lucy Buxton on 07624 202875 or by emailing [email protected].

The session will be held at The Manx Deaf Society on Friday, September 11, from 10am to 11am.