What do you collect The Deaf Academy: Deaf technology through the ages

When: 21 July 2026 to 07 February 2027
Where: Finders Keepers? Gallery
Time: 10:30 AM - 05:00 PM
Suitable for: Any age

The Deaf Academy is celebrating its 200^th anniversary in 2026 as the oldest Deaf school in England and an award-winning charity. They provide education for young Deaf people with additional needs from the ages of 9-25.

In this display in our ‘What do you collect?’ case, the Deaf Academy are honouring their rich heritage by showcasing how hearing technology has dramatically evolved over the years. From early examples such as ear trumpets and speaking horns, through later electronic and transistor technology, to digital and wireless hearing aids, this technology reflects a positive shift towards choice, accessibility and respect for Deaf people’s diverse ways of communicating.

Watch a British Sign Language (BSL) video by the Deaf Academy about this exhibition here.

A 200 year old BSL alphabet mug from RAMM’s collection will also be on display. It is transfer-printed, indicating it was mass-produced (around 1820-30), however BSL was only officially recognised by the UK Government as a language in 2003.

The Deaf Academy would like to thank The Ewing Foundation and the Oswestry Town Museum (ear trumpet collection owned by Myk Briggs) for the loan of some of the items on display.

Main image: Beehive ear trumpet

Information about accessibility is available on our Access page.

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