Feeling Rhythm Through Vibration with Janet

Firstly, I’d like to thank Surface Area Dance Theatre for this incredible opportunity. It has been fascinating to feel pure rhythm without the usual vibrational distractions from the environment around me.

My Background with Hearing Loss

I have been deafened for over 30 years, starting with behind-the-ear aids and progressing to bilateral BAHA (Bone Anchored Hearing Aids) around 15 years ago. As my hearing has worsened, I now communicate through a combination of lip-reading, my aids with a microphone, a voice-to-text app, and some British Sign Language (BSL).

I’ve been a dancer for 55 years, growing up in the Theatre and Ballroom world. I qualified as a dance teacher in 1989, became a Theatre and Ballroom Examiner for the UKAPTD in 2005, and a Fellow of the IDTA in 2009. I currently run my own dance school in Cumbria, closely linked with Cumbria Deaf Association.

My First Encounter with the Haptic Vest

My initial experience with the haptic vest was during a workshop in Barrow. I was amazed by how the vibrations helped me relax and even reduced my tinnitus, which I usually have 24/7. This was a surprising and welcome relief.

Using the Haptic Vest

As someone who grew up in a hearing world, I bring an unique perspective. Although I can still hear music in a limited way through my BAHA, feeling rhythm through vibration was a new experience. Initially, I struggled to connect the vibration with the sound, but after a month of use, I began to recognise rhythms and time signatures associated with different genres. Interestingly, some sounds I previously loved were less enjoyable as vibrations, and vice versa.

I found the experience very relaxing, particularly because it reduced my tinnitus, even after removing the vest. This left me feeling less fatigued and less anxious. Over time, I’ve started using the vest as a tool to help manage anxiety.

Comparing the Vests: Sub Vest vs. Woojer Vest

The Sub vest, while lightweight, felt restrictive and was more suited to sitting activities. In contrast, the Woojer vest was less restrictive, allowing me to walk around and dance with a better quality of vibration.

Potential Applications

This vest has incredible potential for the Deaf community, enabling better recognition of rhythm. It could also be a powerful tool for deaf awareness, helping hearing teachers understand how music feels through vibrations. I see exciting possibilities for inclusive dance education, where both Deaf and hearing students could learn rhythms together using this tool.

Overall, I’ve loved this experience and learned so much about music, vibration, and myself. Thank you once again for the opportunity!