Drummers with hearing defects refuse to miss a beat

SHIJIAZHUANG－Jazz drummer Liu Boyu, 12, wears his hair long not to try and look cool, but to hide his physical defect－underdeveloped ears.

Born with microtia, the external parts of Liu's ears are missing completely and he has very little functional hearing. However, the birth defect does not affect his passion for music.

He grips two drum sticks and creates a driving rhythm to go with the music. "I like playing jazz drums. The rhythm helps me build my confidence," he said in sign language.