Redefining deafness as 'reduced hearing perception' (RHP) to cover all degrees of hearing loss, this historical study examines the changes which have taken place in Victoria since 1945. Examination of the modes of communication used, and educational resources provided for RHP children in Victoria before 1945 creates a background for discussing the significant changes which followed. The visit to Australia in 1950 of Professor Alexander and Dr Irene Ewing from the University of Manchester significantly influenced changes in different spheres of the education of deaf children in Victoria, including communication and educational techniques. The Victorian Government responded to the influence of the Ewings by opening a special school dedicated to the oral method and later developed deafness units in several regular schools. The growth of these new schools resulted in the decline of the role of the Victorian School for Deaf Children, principally as a result of the use of the different communication modes. When the Victorian Government initially adopted a policy of integrating disabled children into regular schools it provided extensive finance to support services for the education of deaf children, but recent financial budget constraints have resulted in special educational services becoming increasingly neglected. The emphasis on the integration of children with disabilities, including deaf children, into regular schools has resulted in the closure of a number of special schools. Some parents, influenced by the Ewings, started special schools dedicated to the oral mode of communication, established organisations to support other parents of deaf children, and fostered various forms of research into deafness. A significant growth in the number of organisations directly and indirectly involved in deafness, and the increasing emergence of the Deaf Power movement has evolved from greater recognition since 1945 of people with disabilities. When several organisations within the Australian Deafness Council applied for government funding to form their own secretariats they were informed that only one organisation could be funded. The Deafness Forum evolved from this decision. Significant medical advancements, including immunisation against rubella, have resulted in a considerable reduction in the number of children being born deaf. Increasingly sophisticated hearing aids have helped more deaf people to make greater use of their residual hearing and the continuing number of successful cochlea implants, particularly for young children, have further helped 'to break the sound barrier'.