When Rose Ayling-Ellis won Strictly Come Dancing, she captured the nations hearts – not just because she was a beautiful dancer but because she showed that hearing loss doesn’t have to limit your confidence, your joy, or your ability to take on something new.
For many of us (and our clients here at The Hearing Care Centre), watching Rose on a Saturday night felt uplifting. It’s not often we see someone on television who openly talks about hearing difficulties – and even rarer to see someone doing it with such positivity.
Understanding the World Differently
Rose was born profoundly deaf and communicates primarily in British Sign Language, but she also uses hearing technology to help her navigate everyday life. She often talks about how exhausting it can be to follow conversations – especially in busy noisy environments.
That’s something a lot of people share with us when they come in for a hearing consultation. They say things like:
“I avoid restaurants now – it’s too difficult to hear.”
“I manage at home but when the whole family is together. I just can’t keep up.”
“I feel left out even when I am sitting in the same room.”
Rose explains she sometimes pretends she’s understood something just to keep the conversation going – a habit many of our clients recognise but rarely admit.
A Moment That Moved the Nation
One of the standout moments from Strictly was Rose’s silent dance with partner Giovanni Pernice – when the music stopped completely for several seconds. It was designed to show the audience how the world feels to her. It was very emotional and moved many of our clients. For the first time they saw their own experiences represented.
Rose has learned strategies to stay connected:
- She positions herself so she can see people’s faces clearly.
- She will openly tell people when she hasn’t heard and asks them to repeat it.
- She uses hearing technology confidently without embarrassment.
These are the same strategies we encourage at The Hearing Care Centre – small changes can make everyday life far easier.
What We Can Learn
I think Rose’s journey reminds us that hearing loss doesn’t have to hold you back – but leaving it unaddressed can. There are three important things to remember:
- Asking for support isn’t a weakness.
- Good communication makes relationships stronger.
- Hearing Technology isn’t something to hide – it’s something to celebrate.
Your world can become bigger, not smaller, when you take the first steps toward better hearing. At The Hearing Care Centre, we offer hearing assessments, personalised hearing solutions and on-going support. Book your appointment today and start living life confidently again!
