What is a Lipspeaker and How Do They Work?
A Lipspeaker is a hearing communication professional who has been professionally trained to be easy to lipread. They provide essential support to deaf individuals who rely on lipreading by repeating what a speaker says using clear, accurate lip patterns, natural rhythm, facial expression, and gesture.
The Lipspeaker sits facing the deaf person and silently repeats what is being said by the speaker in a clearly lipreadable way. They reproduce the tone, stress, and flow of the speaker’s message, often simplifying or removing redundant language if the original speaker is talking quickly. This ensures the message is communicated fully and at a pace suitable for lipreading.
In some cases, the Lipspeaker may also:
Use fingerspelling to clarify hard-to-lipread words or numbers
Gesture to support meaning
Use their voice if the deaf person prefers to supplement lipreading with residual hearing
When voicing is used, the speaker will need to pause after every 2–3 sentences to allow the Lipspeaker time to repeat the message clearly.
Many Lipspeakers are also skilled in British Sign Language (BSL) and can incorporate this alongside lipspeaking, depending on the needs of the deaf person.
When and Where Are Lipspeakers Used?
Lipspeakers are booked in a wide range of situations where direct lipreading would be difficult, such as:
Medical appointments and hospital consultations
Workplace meetings and job interviews
Training courses and conferences
Legal settings, including courtrooms and police interviews (for NVQ Level 3 qualified Lipspeakers)
Government and security-sensitive domains (where security clearance is held)
Education settings, including colleges and universities
Remote work environments, such as lipspeaking phone calls or recorded instructions (e.g., for driving theory tests)
Lipspeakers are registered with the National Register of Communication Professionals working with Deaf and Deafblind People (NRCPD), ensuring they meet professional standards and follow a strict Code of Conduct.
Who Might Use a Lipspeaker?
Lipspeaking services are typically used by deaf individuals who prefer to lipread rather than use sign language. It’s important to note that not all deaf people will be aware of this service, so it’s useful to share information about it when discussing access needs.
Always ask the deaf person which form of communication support they prefer, as preferences can vary depending on the setting or context.
