Deaf Teenagers Visit Number 10 Downing Street

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The 15 teenagers, aged between 11 to 15 years old, had two days of jam packed fun starting with a trip down to London on the train. They enjoyed a ride on the London Eye, a tour around the Sea Life Aquarium and a bus ride to Covent Garden to watch street performer, followed by a meal out in Trafalgar Square.

The next day was spent enjoying a film making workshop when the teenagers were given the opportunity to make their own DVD, involving filming, learning scripts, acting and directing. Many imaginations were fired as they were shown what to expect if they decided to choose this as a career in the future.

Both the trip to London and the film making day was filmed by the BBC for See Hear, to be broadcast later in the year.

Sue Archbold, Chief Executive at The Ear Foundation said: "Young people with cochlear implants face different challenges to their hearing peers. Although many are included in mainstream schools, when they reach the secondary stage, the challenges can become particularly difficult and lead to feelings of isolation.

"This type of event enables them to meet others who are facing the same problems in day to day life and gives them the opportunity to develop self confidence. Communication is tuned completely to their needs and they can relax in the knowledge that they are not missing out on anything."

The trip to London and the film making day was filmed by the BBC for See Hear, to be broadcast in September.

The Ear Foundation is an independent, national charity that helps deaf people and their families make the best use of technology to improve hearing, communication and spoken language.