Good vibrations: helping deaf people enjoy music

Author: Kate Samuelson / Source: Positive News

Progress is being made to help deaf and hearing-impaired people enjoy live music. Kate Samuelson explores provision for those who – literally – feel the beat

From wedding first dances to familiar songs your grandparents used to hum, many of our most treasured experiences are connected to music.

Music can heighten everyday experiences, trigger emotions and even help to heal pain.

But its power is not limited to those with perfect hearing. Deaf people do not occupy a silent world, excluded from the pleasure of listening to, and forming a relationship with, music.

The UK is one of the countries paving the way in improving access. Those at the Attitude is Everything charity work to make live music accessible for deaf people and people who have disabilities.

Discover a world of inspiration.

Almost 80 per cent of respondents to the charity’s most recent ‘mystery shoppers’ survey said that they had been put off buying gig tickets due to access problems. But Attitude is Everything’s latest report also found that there have been “significant advances” across the industry in recent years.

“When we launched, there was no other organisation quite like us,” says CEO Suzanne Bull. “People often have preconceived ideas about whether it’s possible for deaf people to enjoy live music. Our role is to make it clear that deaf people do want to be involved in music and do want to attend live music gigs.”