"Having a hearing dog gave me back my independence".

Actor says deafness made him feel invisible and isolated

John Barrowman recently went deaf for a day as part of a filmed experiment to better understand the difficulties that deaf people face. John was then partnered with a hearing dog to see first-hand the difference the dogs make to deaf people's lives.

Gel moulds were placed into John's ears which left him with a dramatic 60 per cent hearing loss. He then attempted to go about his daily routine, but found the experience significantly tougher than expected.

John said: "I didn't realise how challenging deafness would be. I was extremely anxious when walking down the street and crossing the road, as I couldn't hear busy traffic or the sounds of footsteps walking behind me. It was so tiring trying to concentrate on what people were saying. I became increasingly withdrawn and frustrated, and I was isolated from conversations around me. I felt invisible."

John was then given a hearing dog called Robyn for the afternoon, who helped him out by alerting him to the sounds and danger signals that he could no longer hear, such as the fire alarm, telephone and doorbell.

John said: "With Robyn by my side, I didn't feel invisible anymore as people were able to see from her jacket that I was deaf. I was also less reliant on others to do things for me. Having a hearing dog gave me back my independence, made me feel safe when out in public, and best of all, this clever dog provided me with wonderful companionship to alleviate the loneliness I had felt."

Over 10 million people with hearing loss are faced with the communication barriers and isolation that John experienced.

As a celebrity ambassador for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, John Barrowman hopes that his own experience will raise awareness of deafness and help the public to understand the life-changing difference that a hearing dog can make.

To watch John's video, please visit www.hearingdogs.org.uk/jb