STUDENTS have been wearing earplugs during lessons at a Torquay school.

The pupils at Westlands were encouraged to muffle the voice of the teachers as part of a programme of events for Deaf Awareness Week.

The special lessons gave the teenagers an impression of what it is like to be hard of hearing.

Hazel Sutherland, coordinator of services for hearing impaired pupils in Torbay, organised the lessons.

She said: "Hopefully it gave them a small insight into what it is like to have to cope with a hearing loss in the classroom and will maybe make them a little more understanding of their peers who have hearing difficulties. Some of the comments we received from pupils included 'it was annoying not to be able to hear clearly', and 'it was really tiring'."

Around 80 children in Torbay have significant permanent hearing loss.

There are just two special teaching facilities for hearing impaired pupils in Torbay, one is at St Margaret's Primary School, the other at Westlands.

Hazel added: "The aim of Deaf Awareness Week and the classes was to raise people's understanding of what it is like for people to be deaf."

Amy Carter, 10, from Paignton, attends Kings Ash Primary School. She had moderate hearing loss and wears hearing aids.

She said: "Some people take the 'mick' out of me because I wear hearing aids. Sometimes I feel like I want to hear like everyone else but I know I can't and that upsets me."

Deejay De'Ath has a profound hearing loss, his main form of communication is British Sign Language. Deejay attends Westlands School.

Deejay signed: "I get left out of conversations. It upsets me when people can't sign or can't be bothered to sign.

"People stare at me when I sign with my friends."

He added: "I sometimes find support in class is embarrassing."