JDA Magazine May 2025 Paperturn - Flipbook - Page 36
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CHANGING THE JEWISH COMMUNITY’S ATTITUDES TO HEARING LOSS
JDA launches a new crucial service — Hearing Matters in our Community
We may think that the excellent community
services Jewish people can turn to for help are
available to all of us. But, sadly, this is not true.
Living with hearing loss presents barriers
everywhere. And, shockingly, our recent
research shows that we are inadvertently
excluding one third of our community from
accessing the services they need - simply
because they can’t hear.
Jewish people with hearing loss need to access
Jewish community services just as hearing people
do - including emergency medical aid, cancer
care, social work and mental health services,
bereavement support, refuge, befriending,
information, counselling and employment
services and synagogues.
However, our recent research revealed that
Jewish people with hearing loss are unable to
bene昀椀t from the Jewish communal, welfare
and support services they need, leaving
them feeling marginalised, unsupported and
vulnerable.
Michelle told us: “When my husband died, I was so
isolated. I went to a bereavement counselling group,
but because I couldn’t follow the conversation or join
in, I felt even more alone. There was a helpline, but
I can’t hear on the phone. I was denied the support
I needed, because of my hearing loss.”
Gerry said: “I miss being able to follow shul services
and hear the Rabbi’s sermon. When I lost my hearing,
I lost so much more — my ability to join in and my
identity. I can no longer be a part of the community
I love.”
We need to break the stigma around hearing
loss.
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JDATogether — Issue 50 — May 2025
