This Deaf Awareness Week (5-11 May 2025), a host of celebrities, musicians and TV presenters are joining our campaign and calling on the public to be more deaf aware.
Breaking down the barriers
Deaf Awareness Week is an annual event celebrating the deaf community and raising awareness of the challenges people who are deaf or have hearing loss face.
Our ‘It does matter’ campaign has revealed the extent to which the community faces daily negative attitudes and behaviours, with over half (54%) of people being told “it doesn’t matter…” by someone when they asked them to repeat something they missed. Through this campaign, people can sign up for free basic BSL lessons and some simple communication tips – easy actions that can make a huge difference.
This year, we’re on a mission to further break down the communication barriers, challenges and misconceptions faced by people who are deaf or have hearing loss, calling on everyone to help show ‘It does matter’.
Love Island and Strictly Come Dancing star, Tasha Ghouri
I was born deaf, so I lived in a world of silence until I was five. It was then that I had my cochlear implant fitted and I could hear for the first time. My communication changed and I didn’t have to rely so heavily on sign language.
But while I was given this gift, it still came with many challenges. I struggled at school to hear the teachers over other noise, so I learned to lip read. Of course this was impossible to do when they turned away from me, and I started to fall behind. The implant can also cause mental fatigue and it means even now I can suffer from migraines and severe bouts of exhaustion.
Living in an able world still leaves me feeling behind, just like at school. I struggle to hear train and plane announcements, and I often need to use subtitles. However I don’t let any of these things hold me back, I see it as my superpower and I want to use it to help able people learn to be more deaf aware. The RNID ensures we are all included and have tips on how to be deaf aware on their website.”
Love Island star, Tyrique Hyde
Whenever I meet someone new, I let them know I’ve been deaf in my right ear since birth, so if they want to communicate properly, they should stand or sit on my left side. That’s actually why I got a lightning bolt tattoo behind my left ear – it’s a little reminder for people to know which side is my ‘good ear.’
Recently, I was shooting for a sports brand, and the team was amazing. Without me even saying anything, they made sure other talent on set stood on my left side so I could hear everything clearly and fully participate. That kind of awareness makes a huge difference.
No one should feel left out of a conversation. Small things, like repeating something, making sure you’re facing the person, or simply being aware of which side someone hears from can make communication more inclusive for everyone. A little effort goes a long way in making sure no one feels excluded. RNID have some really good tips on how to be deaf aware, so check out their website for more info.”
Singer songwriter, KT Tunstall
18 million people in the UK are deaf or have hearing loss or tinnitus – it’s much more than a lot of people realise. People in these communities can face challenges and misconceptions on a daily basis. Like when you’re struggling to hear in a conversation, only for the other person to say: “Oh, it doesn’t matter.” But it does matter. We want to be included. We want to hear what you have to say.
Deaf Awareness Week is the perfect opportunity to learn some of the ways we can all get more confident communicating with people who are deaf or have hearing loss. RNID offers loads of free resources, helpful tips, and videos that’ll teach you simple phrases in sign language. Let’s all take a moment to be more deaf aware, and make sure no one is left out of the conversation.”
Rugby player and BBC One’s Gladiator’s Fury, Jodie Ounsley
Navigating the world as someone with hearing loss can be challenging. Growing up I had to conquer shyness and self-doubt, and at university, communication became an uphill battle – both academically and on the sports field. I was reluctant to voice my struggles, but then I had a rugby coach who really supported me. He made sure I was included as much as my teammates, so I didn’t miss out on anything. It made a huge difference, and I realised there are people who genuinely want to help and show you that it does matter.
“For anyone out there who wants to be more deaf-aware, learning a few simple communication tips makes such a massive difference. Like facing the person when speaking, and being patient. Even learning a few basic sign language phrases goes a long way to make sure people are included. This Deaf Awareness Week, visit RNID’s website, sign-up and show people that it does matter.”
TV presenter and voice over artist, Scarlette Douglas
When I was 18, I was competing in a beauty pageant and there was a girl there who was Deaf. She was being ignored and virtually no one was talking to her, which was really upsetting. I remember trying to communicate with her using hand gestures and afterwards I made a promise to myself that I would learn sign language. It’s so important that people aren’t left out and don’t feel ostracised.
Deaf Awareness Week is the perfect opportunity to show that everyone matters and deserves to be part of the conversation. This is something that I’m truly passionate about, and I encourage everyone to visit RNID’s website for hints and tips, and discover the small but powerful ways you can make a difference.”
As well as the stars above, famous faces collaborating with RNID and sharing their story for Deaf Awareness Week this year are model and actress Georgia Meacham, musician Zak Abel, actress and comedian Sam Baines, actor and content creator Jahannah James, and activist and YouTuber Jessica Kellgren-Fozard. An enormous thank you for spreading the word and helping the UK become more deaf aware.
Frankie Garforth, Head of Inclusion at RNID, said:
We’re so grateful to everyone sharing their stories for Deaf Awareness Week this year. These stories paint a vivid picture of their experiences, as well as the significant challenges people often face.
RNID research has found that often there is a lack of public awareness of hearing loss and deafness. As a result, the public simply lack the confidence and knowledge to communicate effectively.
This Deaf Awareness Week, we’re calling on people to educate themselves around deaf awareness and learn some simple communication tips. By making small changes to how we communicate, we can make a huge difference and help send the message that it does matter.”
