The National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS) carried out a survey into the nation's communication skills ahead of national Deaf Awareness Week.

The results reveal that, despite more than half of those involved in the poll knowing someone who is deaf, only 14% said they knew how to communicate succesfully.

Charity chiefs are hoping to use the poll and the awareness week to encourage people to learn a few simple habits to help communicate with the thousands of deaf children growing up in the UK today.

The NCDS believes everyone can make communication a little easier by following a few simple guidelines which include: facing the person and getting their attention before you speak; maintaining eye contact; speaking clearly and not talking too quickly; using gestures to help explain what you are saying and if the person prefers using sign language and you find it difficult to understand, use pen and paper.

NDCS chief executive, Susan Daniels OBE, said: "Around three babies are born deaf every day and 90% are born to hearing parents with little or no experience of deafness.

"Deafness makes it harder for children to learn to communicate but everyone can help by being a little more aware of how to improve communication."

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