A LIPREADING class for people who are deaf and hard of hearing has opened in North Finchley.

Janet Zysblat takes the classes on Wednesdays from 7pm to 9pm at the Jewish Deaf Association in Woodside Park Road.

Students will be taught the theory of lipreading, which is based on lip shapes and learn strategies on how to cope with social situations, like going to the bank.

Mrs Zysblat has been a qualified lipreading tutor for around 15 years and previously held the classes at Barnet College in Montagu Road, Hendon before the site was closed as part of a regeneration programme.

She said: “It is an essential life skill for people coping with hearing loss.

“Classes are informative, fun and relaxed and we are the only evening lipreading class in North West London.”

John Storer, 67, is a retired architect from East Finchley and has attended the sessions for around a year after partially losing his hearing.

He said: “I was reluctant to go to lipreading classes at first, like most people I guess, but I have found them very helpful.

“It’s not just about the theory – it’s also about the social interaction.

“It’s a confidence boost to talk to other people with similar hearing problems and to hear about their experiences and how they cope.”

The sessions are open to anyone over 18-years-old and cost £85 for 15 weeks however, people can attend a class to see if they enjoy it without enrolling.

To sign up or for more information contact Mrs Zysblat on 07968 755 492 or via email: janetzysblat@hotmail.com