Loud shirt 

Sam Callaghan loves school and has dreams of becoming an astrophysicist and has helped launch Auditory Verbal UK’s Loud Shirt Day event which this year takes place on October 23rd. Together with his family they will be joining others up and down the country wearing their brightest clothes to get LOUD and help create a sound future for deaf children.

Sam was diagnosed as profoundly deaf at five weeks and had cochlear implants just before he was a year old. A friend of a friend recommended the Auditory Verbal UK programme.

At Auditory Verbal UK’s centres in Bermondsey and Bicester and through digital platforms, highly specialist therapists teach deaf children to listen and speak and help them to develop the lifelong communication and social skills they need to enjoy the same opportunities as their hearing peers. Specialists equip parents with the skills they need to maximise their deaf child’s speech and language development in everyday life.

The Auditory Verbal approach stimulates auditory brain development and enables deaf children with hearing aids and cochlear implants to make sense of the sound relayed by their devices.

His Mum Joanna explained: “AVUK has been life changing for Sam and us. AVUK helped give Sam the confidence and tools to find and use his voice. Since graduating from AVUK, Sam’s deafness has never held him back. His speech is remarkable.

Auditory Verbal UK offers a bursary scheme to provide access to the programme for everyone including low income families as well as training bursaries to help increase the number of auditory verbal therapists and access to the service. It relies on the generosity of trusts, foundations, individuals and families. 

“It’s so easy to make a difference - just dress up in your loudest clothes, get all your family involved and of course your pets and post your photos on social media #LoudShirtDay.