The UK-wide charity Hearing Link has joined forces with BT to create a new booklet to support people with hearing loss.
Called ‘Communication Choices: your hearing, your life’ the guide aims to support people through their hearing loss journey from diagnosis to where to get support in order to adjust to the challenges of living with hearing loss.
Hearing Link, which provides information and support for people with hearing loss, their families and friends, features throughout, raising awareness of its free helpdesk service, website and also featuring quotes and pictures from a number of its volunteers.
It also includes useful information about the types of assistive communications equipment and services available for people with hearing loss including amplified phones, hearing loops and Next Generation Text provided BT.
Lorraine Gailey, Chief Executive of Hearing Link, said: “We believe this joint publication fills a gap in the types of information currently available to people with hearing loss across the UK.
“When you first notice a change in your hearing it can be difficult to know which path to choose or who to approach for support. This guide is full of useful information that will support you on that journey and also help in making choices in regard to your communication needs.
“Hearing Link will be making this guide widely available across the UK, via our website, electronically and in hard copy format. If you would like to receive a hard copy, please contact our Helpdesk.”
David Barratt, BT Consumer’s Accessibility Manager, said: “We were delighted to help to produce this booklet with Hearing Link, which looks at the wider picture of hearing loss and its impact on individuals.
“We are continuing to offer our inclusive range of telephones with inductive couplers and amplification. We also have the Next Generation Text service to help people with hearing loss. Customers can find more information at www.bt.com/includingyou”
The guide is available to view on Hearing Link’s at: http://www.hearinglink.org/a-guide-to-living-with-hearing-loss and will shortly be issued as an e-book.
Hard copies are also available by contacting Hearing Link’s Helpdesk on Tel: 0300 111 1113; SMS: 07526 123 255 or by emailing helpdesk@hearinglink.org.
