Welcome to an author visit with Frank Rossavik.  

Frank Rossavik (b. 1965) is a non-fiction writer and commentator for Aftenposten and has written a number of books. 

About his book ‘Hæ? Et liv som tunghørt (Huh? A life as a hard of hearing’), Frank Rossavik explains: 

‘Just before I turned four, almost all my hearing disappeared. My parents were shocked to suddenly lose much of the contact with their firstborn. The doctors were unsure of my prospects. Could I develop a language of my own? Would I go completely deaf?  

Schooling was not easy. Nevertheless, it was always clear to me that I was going to be a journalist, even though the profession is not exactly suited to the hard of hearing. For a long time, I didn't think about these questions. I just went straight ahead.  

The debate about identity in recent years has contributed to more reflection. I'm much more than just hard of hearing. Still, my disability probably means more than I've been willing to admit. It includes a form of discrimination that I used to find easy to shrug off.’

The hearing impaired are the largest and least visible minority in Norway. Why doesn't anyone care about hearing loops and other facilities for hundreds of thousands of Norwegians? Why are there no known hearing impaired people? Is the disability unsexy? Is it associated with a lot of shame?    

Light refreshments
Organiser: National Association of the Hearing Impaired, Sandnes and Sola

This event will be mostly held in Norwegian