BEING born with hearing-disabilities does not mean one cannot play music. Chong Kai Zen, better known by his nickname Harry, can play the piano, guitar and Er-Hu (a Chinese two-stringed instrument) and has even joined a band called Deafbeat.
âI wear a hearing aid that helps me to hear the sound. I can feel the drumâs vibrations,â said Chong, who plays music by reading the notes and following the rhythm.
He even participated in the 10th DeafBeat anniversary concert in 2017.
âI could interact and have fun with the hearing-able crew and volunteers. It was an excellent experience,â said Chong, who received the top student award in the Deaf Category for STPM 2010 and the Gold Award in the Disabled People category at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) in 2014.
Chong started wearing a hearing aid when he was just four years old and he also learned cued speech.
âI was bullied by my friends in secondary school but I kept looking forward. My parents advised me to focus on education and enter a local university.
âI feel thankful as my teachers motivated me and I am lucky to have the support of my parents and sister.â
