I’m an Artist, and I’m hard of hearing...there, I’ve said it! For a long time, I didn’t tell anyone and, having long hair, no-one ever saw my hearing aids! This wasn’t always a wise thing to do and I have learned, subsequently, to be open about it.
I was a Primary school teacher for twenty years, but it wasn’t until I worked as a supply teacher, that I realised the seriousness of my problem.
Diagnosed with hearing loss at 38 years old, I remember wearing my first hearing aids and supermarket shopping. I was shocked by the loud noises around me...the unfamiliar crackle of crisp packets in my trolley.
My hearing loss is regressive. My Audiologist, believes that I must have been deaf from childhood and is amazed that I cope so well. I have turned it on it’s head and made it a positive thing! My strategies include lip reading, making sure light is on people’s faces, no backlighting, context clues from sentences, body language, facial expressions, and finding a quiet spot, where possible. Also, rather importantly, making quiet time and losing myself in my Artwork, which is like a kind of therapy.
To be a good Artist, I believe it is important to to be a good observer. My other senses have become razor sharp, and I use them more intensely. “The brain adapts to the loss by giving itself a makeover...senses...get rewired and put to work processing other senses” (scientificamerican.com)
My sense of smell is heightened and aromas can be very evocative, like the fragrances of a Moroccan Spice market or wild honeysuckle. I use my eyes to really see the world around me. I love colour. I enjoy watching flames flickering and cloud shapes morph in the sky. When I see birds, I can imagine the song they’re singing. As my low pitched hearing is better than most at my age, I can still hear things that contribute to my Artwork....like the pounding of waves, scattering the shingle on a beach. I love to touch things...from the roughness of a wall, to cool, damp mist on my cheeks. Tasting is also a wonderful way to understand a subject. I encourage my students to use their senses to explore their subjects too.
While I do get very frustrated, I am actually thankful for my hearing loss. It forced me to reach out for a change in direction. Instead of feeling sorry for myself, I turned it around. It all started at an exhibition, where someone asked me about my mixed media painting. This lead to two commissions and the request to teach a group of ladies, in a kitchen, in Wilmslow. Word spread and, to cut a long story short, I now run regular classes in Poynton, Cheshire, All day workshops, Demonstrations for Art groups and “Live workshops” for the SAA.
I feel very privileged to be an artist and to be my own boss, running my Art business, “ALISART”. Every day brings new challenges. I really love what I do.
Suffering from hearing loss has helped me to be a better teacher. I understand what people go through with disabilities. I am particularly aware of the many people who suffer as I do. When teaching or demonstrating, I speak clearly, make sure the light is on my face, use gestures and my visual Artwork to illustrate. Lots of energy is put into my Demonstrations.
Hearing loss is difficult, but I am proud to say I have turned it on it’s head and made it a positive thing!
To see more about Ali H…
https://www.alisart.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/www.alisart.co.uk
https://www.instagram.com/alijhargreaves/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYNt2K9Vp9D6MO8BtgBaqMg