Earshot: A Photographic Collection of Stories on Deafness and Hearing Loss

A collection of beautiful photographs and personal stories, Earshot offers a unique representation and enriching insight into the world of deafness and hearing loss.

Through intimate personal portrayals using photography and honest and poignant storytelling, Earshot takes us into the world of deafness and brings to light a myriad of experiences and issues surrounding this complex theme. This includes everything from the daily reality of hearing aids, cochlear implants, lip reading, and Auslan, to personal stories of overcoming adversity and celebrating differences. The book addresses a topic which is often seen as taboo and presents it in a way that allows us to reflect upon our prejudices and gently guides us towards understanding one another.

Diagnosed with hearing loss at three years of age and fitted with hearing aids when she was 10, photographer and author Kate Disher-Quill spent her childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood feeling ashamed and in denial of her deafness. She concealed it for over 16 years, which included hiding the many pairs of hearing aids she was fitted with. A simple, yet pivotal experience of reading an article about another young deaf photographer led her down a path of self-acceptance and ultimately left her questioning how the power of photography and visual storytelling could change our perception of deafness and hearing loss.

The driving force was to create a book for her younger self—something that would have helped her accept her hearing loss much earlier. Not only a joy to read and a visually enriching experience, Earshot compels the reader as it educates, empowers, and connects us all.