How Sarah turns deafness into a cool style

I’m thrilled to share news that my photo of Sarah Adedeji is shortlisted for the Portrait of Britain 2026 award.

As Sarah's cochlear implant weaves gracefully into her orange stitch cornrows, she wears her deafness like a cool fashion statement.

A small tattoo of a mute button behind Sarah's ear reinforces her proud and assertive deaf identity.

Sarah’s photo will feature in the Portrait of Britain book - celebration of identity, an opportunity to rejoice in the diversity of a changing nation. Published on 15 November by Bluecoat, pre-orders are now available.

Sarah is one of the few professionally-qualified audiologists to be deaf herself and has worked in major NHS hospitals.

“The seeds of my desire to do this job were watered by the prospect of being the audiologist I wish I’d had as a deaf child,” says Sarah.

“When I needed to pick my GCSE subjects, Mum and I were discussing career options and she pointed out that over the years we had never seen a deaf audiologist!”

“So, I chose the relevant GCSEs to enable me to go on to apply to Middlesex University for a degree in Healthcare Science Audiology. I graduated three years later.”

“My work isn’t just hearing tests and fitting devices, I also do rehab and counselling where I can have more impact - because I understand people’s concerns, even ones they’re not able to fully express - as I know first-hand what it is like to be deaf, a concept many hearing audiologists can’t fully grasp.”

Sarah is one of 120 intimate portraits and stories by deaf photographer Stephen Iliffe

Stephen Iliffe is a deaf community photographer, writer and advocate. His Deaf Mosaic project exhibits over 120 intimate portraits and stories of deaf people from diverse backgrounds occupations.

Sarah Adedeji is one of the few professionally-qualified audiologists to be deaf herself and has worked in major NHS hospitals. She is also an author, podcaster for Socially Sound, a sign language singer and a dancer.

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