92% of deaf children under the age of five in the UK currently don’t have access to an Auditory Verbal early intervention programme that helps them to develop listening and spoken language.

A YouGov* survey commissioned by AVUK revealed that more than a third (35%) of adults have no idea that a child born profoundly deaf can learn to speak as well as a hearing child. And more than a quarter (27%) believe a child born profoundly deaf cannot learn to speak as well as a hearing child.

By donning a loud shirt on 20th October and donating, you can make a difference to help support deaf children to accomplish their dreams, and challenge perceptions of what deaf children can achieve.

Loud Shirt Day is in support of the award-winning national charity Auditory Verbal UK (AVUK) which helps deaf children learn to listen and talk. Many deaf children are still under-achieving at school, are at higher risk of isolation, bullying and social exclusion and have lower employment prospects. AVUK is transforming deaf children’s lives, with 80% of children who spend at least two years on our programme achieving age appropriate language.

Auditory Verbal UK have been amazing. They have never underestimated Mia’s abilities ...  Mia has made amazing progress. Her speech and language is almost age appropriate and she is very happy, social and confident. Despite having to work four times harder to walk, talk, listen and learn, Mia is keeping up with her peers and going from strength to strength.

Mother of Mia, who has CHARGE syndrome

To find out more visit our main website or watch this clip:

Our vision is for all deaf babies and children to have the opportunity to listen and speak alongside their hearing peers. Help us make this a reality by getting loud for deaf children!

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*All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc.  Total sample size was 2171 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 19th - 20th April 2022.  The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).