Friday afternoon I’m sitting in my little corner of The Deaf Way office when the director walks in energising the place with his presence. Every one smiles, everyone is happy to see Mr Happy (Arun Rao’s sign name). I wave and carry on with my work.

“BANG” I jump up to see what has exploded and I see the 5 or six of my deaf colleagues quite unconcernedly blowing up balloons. Now my attitude to balloons is one of intense dislike bordering on phobia. Who should invent such a toy that can cause a sudden and terrifying outburst of noise on poor unsuspecting parents? What sadistic toy designer came up with the idea? Balloons have never been any good to anyone.

Well I was about to be proved wrong. After a lot of huffing and puffing, twenty or so young deaf women and men sat down each gently holding a balloon between two hands. Seated in front of them was Ravid, a young man wearing white gloves and holding what appeared to be a dented wok.

I watched at first puzzled and then entranced as Ravid began to coax wonderful music from his hang. (not a wok after all). The deaf students watched and gradually feet began to tap and smiles grew as the power and rhythm of the music flowed through the balloons into their hands.

One young woman had tears in her eyes as she experienced the joy of the music for the first time.

A great afternoon for both deaf and hearing enjoying music together.

You can see more information about Ravid and his hang on his website: www.ravidhang.com

There is more information about The Deaf Way Foundation on www.thedeafway.org