Software to help the hearing-impaired
by E-Ling Liaw
A
UniSA graduate is helping the hearing-impaired to lipread with her own specially
created software.
Dr Mary Allen's software, Learning to Lipread: an introductory course, is one of the first of its kind in the world.
Last September punctuated five years work when Dr Allen was awarded a PhD in Education for her thesis, Learning to Lipread With Computers in Open Learning Environments.
An achievement great in anyone's book, what makes it really special is that Mary has severe bilateral hearing loss due to maternal rubella.
The software is the practical application of her thesis, and with more than 100 copies already in circulation, it has drawn favourable responses from as far away as England.
The CD has over 300 film clips in 10 interactive exercises, with skill reviews and tests that can all be done comfortably at home.
It is designed for those who are motivated to manage their hearing loss. Mary says if they manage it, they don't have to give up, but just do things differently.
At the moment Mary is writing an autobiography, as well as writing for journals and magazines, and looking for more work. That work could be helping hearing-impaired students: "I have hearing loss too – I've been there, done that," says Mary, who was a mature-age entry student after many years in public service. (She also holds a BA in liberal studies and Honours in communication studies.)
Mary advises students to examine their motivations carefully when it comes to postgraduate study.
"The best reason you could possibly do it is for yourself, not for others," she says. "A PhD isn't for everyone – do it because the research and work involved actually means something to you. It's got to be meaningful, otherwise it's of no value.
"And just try. It is better to try and fail than not to have tried at all."
Dr Mary Allen is treasurer of Better Hearing Australia (BHA) Adelaide, which is a non-profit, self-help organisation for those with hearing disabilities. If you would like to chat with her about hearing loss or learn about her software, visit www.lipread.com.au.