How would you describe your hearing loss, or tinnitus, and how long have you lived with it?

I have severe hearing loss in both ears due to a perforated left eardrum, and have had mastoid operations in both ears. My condition has been described as chronic. I was operated on in Delhi, India at the age of 18, where I was a professional singer. My hearing loss was not too bad as I always loved music and singing from a little boy where I sang as soloist at St. Xavieres' High School, Bombay.

I have suffered from tinnitus and have managed to cope with it, and now it seems to have vanished since I started wearing air conducted digital hearing aids, up until the Specialists at St. Georges' Hospital suggested that due to an infection in my left ear that I could not wear air conducted aids anymore.

I'm now fitted with a Bone Anchored Hearing Aid called the B.A.H.A. and I swear by the B.A.H.A. that I wish I had years ago. I feel my ear passages are completely free with no hearing aid moulds inside them all day long. My B.A.H.A. operation was done in October 2007 and I'm fitted with the Davino model.

I have no problems listening to speeches with my loop system and listen to music with the Crescendo 50 from the RNID shop catalogue. I have several gadgets supplied by the DHSS as I'm registered disabled with my hearing loss.   

What made you join RNID and how long have you been a member?

I have joined RNID since late last year and a new member. I wish to meet other deaf members - especially singers and musicians - to help me or how I can help them!!

What is the best thing about being a member for you?

As a member I hope to contact others with the same problems as mine.

What piece of advice has worked best for you in terms of your hearing loss?

Be positive and do not think about your disability and think about those who are worse off than you.

Name a favourite book...(or poem or film)

"Angela's Ashes", I could read it a million times and not be bored

Do you have any hobbies that would interest other members? What do you do in your spare time?

I'm a singer and have my one-man band and perform at social events. I used to sing with bands in the past, and I now sing with backing tracks and back myself on my Yamaha 7000 keyboards. I sing a variety of singers songs, mainly Country & Western, Rock n Roll 50's style and ballads, gospels and R&B.

You've probably heard of Elvis Presley to whom I do a tribute act, in particular I love Elvis' Gospels and sing them at St. John the Baptist Church in Dale Road, Purley.
Tell us a surprising thing about yourself!

Here is my surprise, you can view me on You Tube. Go to Google, type in T.T.Ryder(Trevor Taylor) and you will see the four songs I have composed, words and music by myself, all in Videos. Song 1) "Tell Me Elvis, do they rock n roll in Heaven", 2) "A Song For Zoe" (my wife)", 3) "Part Of Me" 4) "Missing you".

If you could invent something, what would it do?

Maybe to help people with hearing problems.

Which person, living or dead, is your favourite role model?

None other than Elvis the "King" Presley.