Local volunteers wanted to help hearing aid users

A PIONEERING project in Northern Ireland is appealing for volunteers from the Lisburn area to help provide vital support to NHS hearing aid users.

‘Hear to Help’, which is funded by The Big Lottery and run by Action on Hearing Loss Northern Ireland is looking for volunteers in Lisburn to help reduce the loneliness and isolation often experienced by people with hearing loss.

The project’s volunteers are trained to show residents how to get the best performance from their NHS hearing aids, so that they may hear more clearly and improve communication with friends, family and colleagues. When fully trained, the volunteers will attend regular community drop-in sessions and visit housebound clients in their own homes in order to carry out basic maintenance on hearing aids, such as replacing tubing and batteries, and provide information on equipment that can make life easier in the workplace or at home.

Action on Hearing Loss Northern Ireland’s Regional Volunteer Manager, Judith Boyd, said: “We’re looking for enthusiastic people, who may have hearing loss, themselves, to volunteer for the rewarding experience of providing life-changing support to hearing aid users in Northern Ireland.

“Getting used to a hearing aid can be difficult and takes time. The volunteers will have a crucial role in building the confidence of local residents to use their hearing aids more effectively so that they can hear more clearly and live a full and active life.” Tom Armour, a Hear to Help volunteer, said: “There are so many people who miss out on everyday family life because they have given up on their hearing aids. With our help, people are encouraged to persevere and benefit from their hearing aids, and that’s why I keep volunteering.”

Volunteers will be given full training and expenses are available. Also, in 2012, the charity will be piloting a new OCN recognised course as part of its training.

For more information about the volunteering opportunities you cancContact Judith at 90 239 619 or email [email protected] or visit www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk/HearToHelp