October 2024
Joanna Barker (Audiologist, Specialist in Tinnitus, Hyperacusis and Misophonia Rehabilitation) will be hosting this Patient Education online meeting. The second meeting in the series is planned for 28th October 2024 6:30 to 7:30 PM (UK time). Our guest speaker is India Lawton (Post Graduate Research Student Practice Based Fine Art Photography) who will talk about “Echoes of Birth: Exploring the Intersection of Birth Trauma and Hyperacusis Through Artistic Expression”. In this talk, we will be discussing birth trauma and the numerous identified risk factors for birth trauma and PTSD, including the impact of specific auditory conditions, such as hyperacusis. India has created artwork which investigates the multifaceted impact of birth trauma, with a particular focus on the intersection of hyperacusis. As an artist, researcher, and mother suffering from hyperacusis and a history of birth trauma, she initiated an art project to articulate and share the experience of childbirth and hospitalisation as someone with hyperacusis. Additionally, we’ll discuss practical strategies for managing triggers and incorporating self-care practices to enhance resilience. This talk aims to empower people with the knowledge and tools to take control of their journey with these conditions. Are you taking CBT or planning to do so? This talk is for you!
Summary
Birth trauma encompasses symptoms related to the childbirth experience, significantly affecting maternal-infant bonding and potentially leading to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), feelings of anger, disappointment, loss, strained relationships, suicidal ideations, and a sense of inadequacy. Approximately 1 in 25 women experience PTSD following childbirth, with nearly a quarter perceiving their childbirth as traumatic. In the UK, around 200,000 women annually may endure birth trauma, with nearly half not seeking help. Despite numerous identified risk factors for birth trauma and PTSD, the impact of specific auditory conditions, such as hyperacusis, remains underexplored. My personal birthing notes from the birth of my child revealed numerous auditory stressors during my birthing experience and an extended stay in a shared ward, where constant noise exacerbated my hyperacusis and contributed to my birth trauma. The medical staff’s lack of awareness and understanding of hyperacusis impeded their ability to provide adequate support. My artworks investigate the multifaceted impact of birth trauma, with a particular focus on the intersection of hyperacusis. As an artist, researcher, and mother suffering from hyperacusis and a history of birth trauma, I initiated an art project to articulate and share the experience of childbirth and hospitalisation as someone with hyperacusis. The project involves creating layered film soup images using breast milk, audio layering, and sound wave embroidery on images. Inspired by the tradition of gifting quilts for significant life events, I have created quilts that symbolise my experiences and emotions. Additionally, through video work, I examined the memory of midnight breastfeeding, where hyperacusis and tinnitus heightened nocturnal sounds, intensifying the lasting effects of my birth trauma. While this art project is an extension of my PhD research, it underscores the potential of artistic expression in conveying complex experiences. Artistic dissemination of research findings can engage audiences emotionally, facilitating empathetic understanding and aesthetic and kinaesthetic knowing. This study highlights the significance of using creative methods to share personal experiences, emphasising the role of art in generating empathy and understanding in the context of birth trauma and auditory sensitivity.
Biography:
India holds a BA (Hons) in Photography from The Arts University Bournemouth and an MA in Photographic Studies from Westminster University. She also holds a PGCE from Oxford Brookes University and an MA in Education from the same institution. Currently, she works as a full-time lecturer in the Department of Art and Music at Solent University, UK, and is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Additionally, India is pursuing a practice-based photography PhD at Solent University while engaging in part-time research. Her photographic work explores themes such as trauma, personal experiences, family history, and the visualisation of memory and experiences. Her work has been exhibited locally, nationally, and internationally.
Artworks
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