To help hearing impaired people cope with their impairment so that they can lead as normal a life as possible. To improve their ability to continue living independently and to offer freedom from social isolation
Why the community needs usThe number of people affected by loss of hearing is increasing significantly given that people are now living much longer. HHAS will therefore need to support greater numbers of hearing impaired people in the future
Our impact on the communityIn 2009/10 our staff and volunteers made 3930 visits to assist people in their own homes; our technical team advised and demonstrated equipment to 492 people and our mobile advisory service saw 4650 people in community locations around the county. Our service in Bedfordshire had 783 consultations.
Our volunteers help in a number of ways; e.g. visiting people in their own homes or providing advice on technical equipment. Volunteers need to have empathy with hearing impaired people and, ideally, knowledge of hearing aids and other equipment.