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In last week's VEE-VOTE, 55% of you said that deafness prevents you from enjoying music. So what's in it for the rest of you? VEE-TV investigates.
Last summer, Ruth Montgomery, a 22-year-old music student, took her practical flute exam at the Welsh College of Music and Drama.
Nothing unusual about that? Except that Ruth is profoundly deaf. After the test, the examiner was told and couldn't believe it.
But Ruth believes music should be a part of standard education for deaf children. 'Music provides a medium for self-expression and communication that should not be excluded because we are deaf,' she says.
Coming from a musical family, it has always been Ruth's dream to become a performer, playing the flute in concerts around the world. And why not? After all, Beethoven was deaf when he composed much of his great work. And the percussionist Evelyn Glennie, who was profoundly deaf by the age of 12, has taken the world of classical music by storm.
So how is it done? Dr Dean Shibata, assistant professor of radiology at the University of Washington, found that deaf people sense vibrations in the same part of their brain that is normally used for hearing sounds. So, deaf people 'feel' music in a manner similar to the way others hear it.
'It's a matter of training your ears,' Ruth explains. 'I have been playing the flute for 10 years now and I know what I'm hearing. I can feel the vibrations on my lips and fingers. When I go to an orchestra, I like to sit with a score – a music manuscript – and follow where the music is going. It's like watching TV with subtitles.'
Ruth has even opened up a new world for her hearing music teacher. 'I explained that I find music very visual, with all colours of sounds in my head. It has changed the way he sees music himself.'
Inspiration
Steven McMahon, 20, is a deaf songwriter, guitarist and drummer who studies contemporary music in Preston. He used to hate music, but when his family got a new TV with teletext, Steven realised he could follow Top of the Pops and that music was about lyrics too. But what really got him hooked was when he first saw his school's drum-kit.
Music isn't just a pastime or course of study for Steven. 'I feel that music has inspired me to look at life differently,' he says. 'Sometimes when I write a song, I end up finding a solution to my problems. I wrote a song called "Face to Faith", about my position as a music student. I had started getting panicked about whether the music industry would accept me as a deaf musician, and I boosted my faith in myself through this song.'
Playing in a band isn't always straightforward, though. 'I performed once in the student union with my band, Eye of the Storm. I was seated behind the drum-kit, which was behind the PA system, and this meant that the sound levels were not quite right. I got through the whole set relying on a very active member of the audience dancing in time to the song. I played along with her! She was amazed to learn that after the gig.'
What about the reactions of hearing music students? 'There were some surprises,' Ruth says. 'But I think things have calmed down at college now.'
Steven was concerned that the Deaf community would feel betrayed by his music course, but in fact people's reaction has been positive. 'They were very supportive and interested in how I hear music and what it was like on the course, working and interacting with hearing people,' he says.
Steven also points out that sound is only part of the package in today's music industry. 'Deaf people are quick to dismiss music from their lives because they can't hear. But the visual aspects are fundamental too. I would like to see a trained professional BSL interpreter on TV to interpret the lyrics for deaf people, though, because subtitles don't portray the emotions of the music, the rhythm and the speed.'
Discordant note
But music isn't important to everyone who is deaf, as last week's VEE-VOTE proved. 'If deafies are genuinely interested in music, then I don't have problem with this, as they have choices,' says Stephen Draper, 31, a businessman. 'But sometimes I don't understand why they take it so seriously. I don't doubt some deaf people enjoy music, but I feel sorry for those who like music just because everybody else does, although most won't admit it. In some nightclubs, I've seen deafies still dancing when the DJ is in the middle of changing the record!'
But Stephen does believe that there are ways of making music accessible. 'I think sign-song is a great idea, because it is unique to deaf culture,' he says. 'I went to Deaf Idol [karaoke] last Saturday and enjoyed the night. Some deaf people use their imagination to create songs in BSL, which is very visual and interesting, whereas if SSE was used, it wouldn't have the same interpretation of the song. I think hearing people should be encouraged to take part in our Deaf culture by performing sign-song like the new karaoke.'
But generally, music isn't what gets Stephen going. 'I have other hobbies to help me relax, for example the internet, gym, pub, socialising with friends and watching TV and films. I don't think reading subtitles on music programmes gives me an emotional association.'
But if you are moved by music – and you like to move to it – things may be looking up. Last weekend, the first ever Deaf Rave took place, and more events are planned.
So how important is music to your life? Let us know on the message board.
Music and the Deaf
The Media Centre
7 Northumberland Street
Huddersfield HD1 1RL
Textphone: 01484 483 115
E-mail: info@matd.org.uk
Fax: 01484 483 116
Voice: 01484 483 115
Website: www.matd.org.uk
Organises music workshops and courses, and signed theatre performances, for
people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Links
Channel 4 is not responsible for the content of third-party sites.
BBC news: 'Brain helps deaf enjoy music'
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/
1678419.stm
'Scientists believe they have discovered why deaf people can enjoy listening
to music and why some can perform or, like Beethoven, even compose'.
BBC news: 'Implants to help deaf hear music'
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/
2656213.stm
News story about attempts to improve cochlear implants.
Beethoven on deafness
http://home1.stofanet.dk/douglas/bedeaf.html
A letter from Beethoven about his deafness.
Common Ground Sign Dance Theatre
http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/common.sign
Inspired by a vision of integration between deaf and hearing cultures, this
group uses visual language and fuses it with expressive dance and live music.
This site includes information on the tour schedule, artists and workshops.
Enabling through Sound and Music
www.etsam.org.uk
Information on how this organisation's research is helping people who are
deaf or hard of hearing to listen to music more clearly and enjoyably.
Evelyn Glennie
www.evelyn.co.uk
Includes an essay on Evelyn's hearing plus concert schedules and information
on a scholarship for hearing-impaired students studying music.
Gallaudet Dance Company
http://depts.gallaudet.edu/dance/techniques.html
A performing group of approximately 15 dancers from Gallaudet University
in the United States. This site includes information on dance techniques for
dancers who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Music in Motion
www.users.zetnet.co.uk/suehaley/minm1.htm
This group performs a variety of popular songs in sign language.
Nasser Bouzida, Big Boss Man
www.blowup.co.uk/records
An introduction to the accomplished and highly talented percussion, organ
and guitar player who taught drumming to Steven McMahon, shown in the film.
Nature: 'Feel the music'
www.nature.com/nsu/011129/011129-10.html
How deaf people use the 'mind's ear' to process vibrations.
Musicians and composers
Shawn Barnett
www.geocities.com/shawndalebarnett
A US deaf drummer and songwriter described as the 'first and only naturally
born 100 percent deaf man with a top ten hit on MTV'.
University of Central Lancashire: BA (Hons) Contemporary Music
www.uclan.ac.uk/courses/ug/
dt/contemporarymusic.htm
Details about the course which VEE-TV contributor Steven McMahon studied.
Contacts
British Deaf Association Health and Counselling Services
13 Wilson Patten Street
Warrington
Cheshire WA1 1PG
Voice: 01925 652520 (10am-4pm daily)
Textphone: 01925 652529 (10am-4pm daily and Wednesday 7-10pm)
Fax: 01925 652526
E-mail: counselling@bda.org.uk
Website: www.bda.org.uk
Supports deaf people with HIV/AIDS, their partners and families and provides
a buddy service.
Terrence Higgins Trust Direct Helpline
52-54 Grays Inn Road
London WC1X 8JU
Voice: 0845 1221 200
Fax: 020 7242 0121
E-mail: info@tht.org.uk
Website: www.tht.org.uk
Information, support and services on HIV and AIDS.
Links
aids.org
www.aids.org
An education charity that aims to make access to HIV and AIDS information
on the internet faster, easier and more accurate. It provides a wealth of information,
factsheets and a community discussion group.
Aidsmap
www.aidsmap.com
This site is produced in collaboration with the British HIV Association
and the International HIV/AIDS Alliance. Find information on many aspects of
HIV and AIDS including new treatment options and research.
Avert
www.avert.org
Information on HIV/AIDS prevention, testing and treatment options, plus
the latest HIV/AIDS news.
Channel 4 Health: Sexual Health
www.channel4.com/health/microsites/H/health/
magazine/sex/health_main.html
Features and practical information about all aspects of sexual health, including
'Living with HIV – Teens Speak Out'.
Crusaid
www.crusaid.org.uk
A UK charity devoted to fundraising on behalf of people living with HIV
and AIDS. The site includes information on events and how you can help.
Joint United Nations programme on HIV/AIDS
www.unaids.org
Includes information on campaigns and publications.
NationalAIDS Trust
www.nat.org.uk
The National AIDS Trust works for policies that will prevent HIV transmission,
improve access to treatment and challenge HIV stigma and discrimination. Includes
links to other useful sites.
Playing Safely (NHS)
www.playingsafely.co.uk
Lots of information about HIV, AIDS, sexually transmitted infections and
sexual health, including contact details for GUM clinics.
Public Health Laboratory Service
www.phls.org.uk/topics_az/hiv_and_sti/
hiv/hiv.htm
Part of the UK's new Health Protection Agency. The site contains general
HIV and AIDS information and guidance.
Society of Health Advisers in Sexually Transmitted Diseases
www.shastd.org.uk/sti/infectio.htm
Information on sexually transmitted infections including HIV/AIDS.
World Health Organisation (WHO)
www.who.int/hiv/en
A wide range of information on the worldwide AIDS/HIV situation including
facts & figures and publications.
Books
The Guide to Living with HIV Infection: Developed at the Johns Hopkins AIDS
Clinic by John G Bartlett, Ann K Finkbeiner (The Johns Hopkins University
Press 2001)
A guide to living with HIV infection and to the treatment available. Buy
this book from Amazon.
HIV/AIDS: Practical, Medical & Spiritual Guidelines for Daily Living
When You're HIV Positive by Mark Jenkins (Hazelden Information & Educational
Services 2000)
A pocket guide offering medical information and practical approaches for dealing
with the challenges of having AIDS. Buy
this book from Amazon.
Serenity: Support and Guidance for People with HIV, Their Families, Friends
and Caregivers by Paul Reed (Celestial Arts 1987)
Explores the emotional turmoil of someone facing HIV/AIDS and offers ways of
coping with it. Buy
this book from Amazon.
Channel 4 is not responsible for the content of third-party sites.