The Master’s Lip Reading Academy for people with hearing loss, possibly the first institution of its kind in the United States, offers classes in Chattanooga beginning Feb. 2.

The need for such a school as the Master’s Lip Reading Academy is great, director David Harrison said.

He said nearly 32.5 million hard of hearing people in America struggle to listen to family, friends, preachers, teachers and speakers. Tennessee alone has 350,000 hearing impaired with about 35,000 living in Hamilton County.

“The Master’s Lip Reading Academy will become the springboard to help churches become hearing accessible to its members," Mr. Harrison said. “Eighty percent of the hard of hearing population will never attend church because of their hearing difficulties. Some churches have purchased an FM system to be used only in the sanctuary. The greatest need is to teach the church people a simple way of communication, which includes visibility of the speaker’s face.”

Mr. Harrison was born hard of hearing and misplaced in special education classes in school, resulting in nine years of experience in lip reading. In 2006, he and his wife, Cathy, a retired nurse, completed academic studies and were certified by the American Academy for Hearing Loss Support Specialists. From these studies, he confirmed that people who suffer from hearing loss need to learn lip reading for better communication with others. As a result, The Master’s Lip Reading Academy was born.

The number of people with hearing loss will double in the next 15 years because of noise pollution, use of audio systems in cars, rock concerts, and personal audio devices such as mp3 players, Mr. Harrison said. Prolonged exposure to any noise at or above 85 decibels, such as heavy machinery, can cause gradual hearing loss. Exposure for one minute to a noise level from 105 to 110 decibels (chainsaw, rock concert, or personal stereo system at maximum level) can cause permanent and irreparable damage to the ears, he stated.

Academy classes will be equipped with FM assistive listening devices supplied by Williams Sound System of Eden Prairie, Minnesota, and with the telescopic loop amplified system supplied by Univox Company of Denmark - for those who wear hearing aids with “T” coil switches. Both these systems are designed to help hard of hearing people hear clearly in groups and meetings.

“Our goal is to help each person hear everything that goes on in the class,” Mr. Harrison said. “Visitors are invited to test out our hearing accessibility within the academic setting.”

Classes are open for anyone to visit and observe, but an appointment is required.

He said, "Churches can offer a great service by ministering to hard of hearing." He said he is willing to donate his services to any church that wants to reach this needy yet neglected group of people. He and his wife are missionaries serving with Silent Word Ministries, based in Trenton, Ga.

This group ministers to deaf and hard of hearing around the world.

The Harrisons make their home in Chattanooga.

Lip reading, also known as speech reading, is for anyone who suffers from hearing loss and has difficulty understanding what people say. People who wear hearing aids and their spouses will benefit greatly from The Master’s Lip Reading Academy classes, where communication strategies and coping skills will also be addressed.

Mr. Harrison is available to speak at any social, civic, religious or educational event.

He can be reached at (423) 624-1669 dmharrison1@juno.com www.lipreadingacademy.com