Norfolk's deaf and hard of hearing are to benefit from a new mobile clinic designed to improve services and bring them to rural areas across the county.
Norfolk's deaf and hard of hearing are to benefit from a new mobile clinic designed to improve services and bring them to rural areas across the county.
The Norfolk Deaf Association (NDA) launched the Listen Here! facility as part of the Deaf Awareness Week festival last week.
Visitors to the clinic will be able to get their hearing aids checked and maintained as well as receive advice on all aspects of hearing loss, including the potential benefits of sign language and lip reading.
A spokesman for the NDA said it will enable the association to provide improved services county-wide and will be particularly beneficial for supporting deaf people in rural areas and for those who are unable to travel to clinics or hospitals due to ill health or lack of transport.
The unit will travel to more than 20 venues per month including market towns such as Aylsham, North Walsham, Swaffham and Fakenham. It will also visit many events during the county's summer calendar.
Adrian Soskin, director of the NDA, said: “Following a great deal of hard work by the team we are delighted to be able to announce the launch of this fantastic new facility.
“Of the 124,000 Norfolk people that are registered as deaf only 34pc receive any support for their condition.
“It is NDA's mission to improve that statistic and increase both awareness and access to the wide variety of services available.
“The right support can make such a difference in improving the standard of living of a deaf sufferer.”
The campaign to get the clinic up and running achieved national recognition when it reached the final of the Sunday People award to find the country's 12 most deserving charities.
The NDA was first established in 1898 to support deaf people throughout the county and its patron is now Richard Jewson, Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk.
To volunteer on the bus or to be a sponsor for next year contact Cheryl Mash on 01603 404440 or email listenhere@norfolkdeaf.org.uk
For more information on the NDA visit their website at www.norfolkdeaf.org.uk
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