A pioneering project, providing vital encouragement and support to help people in Manchester adjust to wearing NHS hearing aids, is being launched by Action on Hearing Loss today (Wednesday 25 January).

Funded by The Co-operative, the new Hear to Help project is being run by Action on Hearing Loss – formerly RNID – in partnership with Manchester Royal Infirmary. The project aims to reduce the loneliness and isolation often experienced by people who wear hearing aids.

Hear to Help will train volunteers, many of whom have a hearing loss themselves, to show others how to get the best performance from their NHS hearing aids, so that they can hear more clearly and improve communication with friends, family and colleagues. The volunteers will help people to carry out basic maintenance on their hearing aid, such as replacing tubing and batteries, as well as providing advice on equipment that can make life easier in the workplace and at home.

Chief Executive of Action on Hearing Loss, Jackie Ballard, says: “Our Hear to Help project in Manchester will provide life-changing support for NHS hearing aid users and help reduce demands on the local audiology departments for post-fitting rehabilitation services. Getting used to a hearing aid can be difficult and takes time, and this service will prove invaluable.

“Our committed team of volunteers is looking forward to running community drop-in sessions and making home visits to build the confidence of hearing aid users. It’s amazing to see the tremendous impact a hearing aid can have in transforming a person’s ability to hear and live a full and active life.”

Head of Audiology at Manchester Royal Infirmary, Martin O’Driscoll, says: “The project will make it easier for people to get help with their hearing aids closer to home. The volunteers will also receive training so that they can identify people that would benefit from a further appointment with audiology or social care. I think this is an exciting opportunity to work together and improve the services available to people with hearing loss in Manchester.”

Group Chief Executive of The Co-operative Group and a Vice President of Action on Hearing Loss, Peter Marks, says: “We are delighted to be funding a Hear to Help project to reach people in Manchester who have become isolated due to hearing loss. The incredible fundraising achievement of The Co-operative in raising £3.7 million for Action on Hearing Loss means this is just one of over 20 new projects across the UK. Overall, these projects will benefit 20,000 people who are deaf or hard of hearing.”

For more information about the Hear to Help project, contact Diane Whitehead, Community Support Officer on 0161 276 2310 or email diane.whitehead@hearingloss.org.uk

Contact for general media enquiries:

Rohini Simbodyal, PR Officer, telephone: 020 7296 8274 or email: rohini.simbodyal@hearingloss.org.uk

Notes for editors:

1. Action on Hearing Loss is the charity working for a world where hearing loss doesn't limit or label people, where tinnitus is silenced – and where people value and look after their hearing.
2. For further information about Action on Hearing Loss or to become a member, visit www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk, contact the Action on Hearing Loss Information Line on 0808 808 0123 (freephone) or 0808 808 9000 (textphone) or email: informationline@hearingloss.org.uk.
3. With the support of its staff, members and customers, The Co-operative raised £3.7 million in 2009 to help Action on Hearing Loss expand the charity’s Hear to Help service.
4. The Co-operative Group stands apart from other major retailers in the UK as a business which is owned, not by a small group of shareholders, but by more than five million consumers. With core interests in food, financial services, travel, pharmacy, funerals and farms, it has an annual turnover of £14 billion, employs 123,000 staff and operates over 5,000 retail trading outlets handling more than 20 million weekly transactions. Following the acquisition of the Somerfield supermarket chain in March 2009, The Co-operative Food is the fifth largest food retailer. The Co-operative Financial Services is one of the largest and most diversified financial mutual businesses, operating The Co-operative Bank, The Co-operative Insurance and Britannia. The Co-operative is the UK’s number one provider of funeral services, the third largest retail pharmacy chain, a leading travel retailer, supplying the travel needs of more than three million people annually, and is the UK’s largest farmer. Among its other businesses are The Co-operative Motor Group, The Co-operative Electrical and The Co-operative Legal Services.