I feared deafness would end my career: Robinson
15/2/12 PACEMAKER BELFAST. Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson pictured with Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness try on some hearing aid headphones with Action for Hearing Loss Director Jackie White this morning at the opening of the new Action for Hearing Loss for Northern Ireland offices at Harvester House, Belfast as the First Minister revealed that he has suffered hearing loss for the past two years whilst serving in office. Picture CHARLES MCQUILLAN/PACEMAKER
PETER Robinson feared he might have to quit politics after becoming deaf in one ear, he has revealed.
The problem in the First Minister’s left ear, which is ongoing, happened overnight about two years ago but Mr Robinson spoke about it publicly for the first time yesterday.
His partner in government, Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, has suffered from tinnitus in his right ear for a decade.
Mr Robinson said: “I just woke up one morning to find I had lost the hearing of my left ear.
“My first reaction was to doubt that I could carry on my job. I did at first assume it would interfere too much with the discharge of my duties.”
Around a sixth of the population in Northern Ireland – 300,000 people – suffer from hearing loss, including tinnitus, which is characterised by a constant perception of noise in the ear.
The DUP leader said: “You work around it. After some weeks of saying nothing about my hearing impairment to colleagues I realised that nobody had noticed.
“There are occasions when it is particularly difficult, if there is noise in the room that makes it difficult to pick up on what is said, but life can be dealt with in a normal way by working around whatever disability you have.
“My officials know to approach me from the right side if they are going to whisper something during a meeting; waiters often get ignored if they come to the left side.”
Mr Robinson joked about his relations with the Deputy First Minister.
“When I confided in Martin I discovered that he had a hearing deficit in his right ear so now you know the secret of how we work so well together,” he said.
“I can say whatever I like about him and direct it to his right ear and he smiles back and he can call me whatever he likes as long as he directs it to my left ear.”
The Action on Hearing Loss Northern Ireland charity celebrated its centenary last year and moved offices in Belfast city centre, opening the new premises yesterday.
Mr Robinson told guests at the ceremony that it was important to learn how others had coped and added he was amazed at the number of people with hearing disabilities who held down pivotal jobs.
Mr Robinson told the audience: “In the leadership of the Executive you have two people who have some understanding of the issues that face your organisation and we will always be happy to encourage and support you in your work.”
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Weather for Belfast
Tuesday 29 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 12 C to 21 C
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Wind direction: South west
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