Action on Hearing Loss today (Wednesday 15 February 2012) embarked on a new era by opening its new Northern Ireland support services base in Belfast, encouraged by a frank admission from both the First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness that they have hearing problems.
Mr Robinson revealed for the first time how he has experienced hearing loss in his left ear for the last two years – something he has never spoken of publicly before. Mr McGuinness spoke of how he has had tinnitus – a ringing in the ear – for the last 10 years.
Speaking after the event, Director of Action on Hearing Loss Northern Ireland, Jackie White, said that she was moved by how both Ministers spoke about their personal experiences so openly. “The First Minister revealed today how he is one of the one in six people across Northern Ireland who suffer from some form of hearing loss and we are very grateful to him for sharing his experience. Nearly 300,000 people from all walks of life here are deaf or hard of hearing. There are also thousands who have their daily lives disrupted by tinnitus, including, as we now know, our Deputy First Minster.
“Both Ministers are living out our vision of a world where deafness and hearing loss doesn’t limit or label people. We want everyone in Northern Ireland who is experiencing hearing loss to be able to live as normal a life as possible with the appropriate and timely information and support. Given the fact that it takes an average of ten years for people act upon hearing loss, we would like to join with the First and Deputy First Minister in urging everyone look after their hearing and to take steps to address any loss you may have.”
The organisation has opened its new offices as part of its centenary celebrations, which began with a radical change of name – from RNID to Action on Hearing Loss – which better represents the full scope of the charity’s work.
The public are encouraged to contact the Belfast office to access the charity’s broad range of services, including information resources on deafness, hearing loss and tinnitus, assistive equipment, access to employment and learning, benefits and lifestyle advice, interpreter services, hearing aid support, peer support, hearing checks and specialist care services.
For further information on Action on Hearing Loss services contact: Harvester House, 4-8 Adelaide Street, Belfast. Tel: 028 9023 9619, Textphone: 028 9024 9462, Fax: 028 9031 2032 or email: information.nireland@hearingloss.org.uk
Contact for media enquiries:
Claire Lavery, Communications and Campaigns Manager on 028 9555 4103 or email: claire.lavery@hearingloss.org.uk
Notes to editors:
- Photographs from the opening ceremony of Action on Hearing Loss’s office in Belfast are available.
- Northern Ireland-based people who can talk about their experience of hearing loss are available for interview.
- Action on Hearing Loss – formerly RNID – is the UK’s largest charity taking action on hearing loss. We want a world where hearing loss doesn’t limit or label people – and where people value their hearing enough to look after it.
- 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.