Making new connections in the D/deaf community: Deaf Awareness Week

katherineriley7
May 7
3 min read

We all need meaningful connection - it's part of being human. But when communication with others is more challenging due to language or other barriers, getting enough connection can be difficult.

Deaf Awareness Week (5 to 11 May 2025)

The theme for Deaf Awareness Week 2025 in the UK is “Beyond Silence.” This highlights the importance of looking beyond the common misconceptions about deafness and recognising the rich experiences, identities, and contributions of Deaf individuals in society.

Two adults hugging in a doorway. The person facing away has long pink hair and wears a green shirt with denim dungarees. They are hugging a man with a beard and short hair.

Tips for feeling less lonely when you have hearing loss

1 - Tell someone you trust how you feel. Most of us will experience loneliness at some point in our lives, and we all experience loneliness differently. When you’re lonely it can feel like there is no one there for you, but loneliness isn’t something that can always be noticed from someone’s outward appearance. Once you start reaching out to people, they will respond accordingly and your social network can start to flourish.

2 - We’re all different and we all need varying levels of social contact. If you need more opportunities to connect with people, you could try joining a club, group or sports team. It can be easier to make friends if you’re sharing an activity together. Visit the UK Deaf Sport Directory to find a sports club near you.

3 - Another idea is to get involved with your local D/deaf and hard of hearing community. Most clubs have Facebook pages or websites which you can use to make friends in your area. It can be helpful to know other people who are going through similar experiences.

4 - Become a volunteer. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people, and knowing that you're making a difference can give your self-esteem a boost, too. Doit is a useful website for searching for volunteering opportunities in your area.

For more advice on loneliness and feeling connected, head to this page on our website.

Two women sit talking beside a window, near a dining table laid with teacups.

How to be more deaf aware

The needs of people who are D/deaf or hard of hearing are often overlooked in day to day life. We've put together a few ways in which we can be more D/deaf aware, and support people with hearing loss to have meaningful connections in daily life.

The tips are based on those individuals who use the skill of lip reading, but sign language would be an incredibly positive skill to have when communicating with someone who is deaf or hard of hearing. However, if sign language is something you haven’t learnt yet, there are some other tips that the charity Action On Hearing Loss recommends.

Address the person

Ensure the person knows you are addressing them by politely attracting their attention. Avoid doing this from an angle they cannot see, as this can cause alarm. To attract attention, you could use gestures, wave, or knock on a table.

Choose a quiet setting

If you can, try and communicate in an environment that has minimal noise. If the area is well lit, this is even better.

Two people sitting at a wooden table. We see their hands and drinking glasses.

Make sure your face is visible

Ensure your face can be clearly seen so your lips can be read with more ease. When you speak, don’t look away or cover your mouth.

Speak clearly

Talk how you typically talk but make sure not to rush your speech and check that you are being understood. Try to avoid exaggerated speaking as this can make lip patterns distorted.

Don’t move on if you’re not understood

If you haven’t communicated effectively, don’t say ‘it doesn’t matter’ and try to move on. Instead, attempt to say it in another way.

Ensure your voice is down

For those who have a hearing aid, a raise in voice can be uncomfortable.

Always speak directly to the person

In a situation where someone may have a sign language interpreter or another form of communication support, ensure you are addressing them and not the interpreter.