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15 year-old boy to meet MPs after winning prestigious deaf competition

A deaf teenager from Derbyshire is to give a presentation to MPs after he wrote a piece on how more could be done to help deaf and hard of hearing people.

Jordan McGrath's opportunity came after he won a national competition, whereby entrants had to come up with ideas about examples of research on deafness which should be carried out over the next 20 years.

In his entry, the teenager said he believed that waterproof hearing aids should be manufactured to allow deaf people to go outside in the rain or go for a swim. He also said sign language should be taught in all schools so more people could communicate with those who are unable to hear.

Jordan beat off strong competition in the 15-19 age category, and received the news that he'd won via e-mail. His mum Sue, 47, said he could barely contain his excitement. She said: "He was over-the-moon and now he's very excited about spending the afternoon at the House of Commons."

Topics like whether doctors in 2019 will be able to grow replacement parts for ears and the future of cochlear implants were discussed by entrants to the 'It's My Future' competition, but judges selected Jordan as the winner because he addressed a range of issues.

Deafness Research UK chief executive Vivienne Michael, who was one of the judges, said: "Jordan has really done his homework. "His entry was extremely thorough and so many of the things he mentions would be simple to do and so should be sorted out.

Jordan will receive a £100 cheque at his presentation on May 5. The afternoon will be hosted by Liberal Democrat MP Malcolm Bruce.

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