Olathe, KS —Shanna Groves was diagnosed with progressive hearing loss at age 27 after the birth of her first child. This experience inspired the Olathe resident’s new novel, Lip Reader. Groves will sign copies of her book June 13 from 1:00-3:00p.m. at the Deaf Cultural Center, 455 E. Park St., Olathe.
In Lip Reader, a rural Oklahoma family faces hearing loss, deafness and communication challenges in the early 1980’s. Twelve-year-old Sapphie Traylor describes her relatives with vivid detail— her mother who lives in a fantasy world, a grandmother born deaf, a stern preacher-grandfather, and an aunt fluent in sign language but lacking in social graces. It is up to Rea's young daughter, Sapphie, to solve the mystery of her mother's secret life while finding the courage to forgive.
The book sheds light on how hearing loss affects all ages. “It is becoming more common among people ages 20-50 for a variety of reasons. First is increased exposure to loud noises. Repeated use of loud headphones and stereos, as well as music concerts, has contributed to hearing loss prevalence in young people,” Groves said. “Other causes of hearing loss in young people can include chronic ear infections or certain medications. Of course, a family history of genetic hearing loss can make young people more susceptible.”
Groves has written about her hearing journey in Hearing Loss Magazine, The Kansas City Star, and A Cup of Comfort for Nurses. Lip Reader is her first novel. Read more about Lip Reader at http://shannagroves.blogspot.com. Learn more about the Deaf Cultural Center at www.kefdcc.org.
