The National Association for Deaf People has a new mobile unit which it hopes will encourage more people to get their hearing tested. Susan Calnan reports
A new mobile resource unit, which will provide free hearing checks and information on all aspects of hearing loss to people aged 18 years and over, at outreach centres throughout the country, has been established by the National Association for Deaf People (NAD).
The mobile unit, which will be officially launched in the New Year, is being piloted in a number of counties in Ireland - including Cavan, Kilkenny and Killarney - and has been visiting shopping centres and town centres in Dublin and Wicklow in recent weeks.
"The aim of the unit is to promote awareness of hearing loss and deafness and to act as an initial point of contact for people who may be concerned about their hearing but who have never done anything about it," says Sandra O'Brien, NAD director of services, planning and development.
"Also, although the association has 10 regional centres throughout the country, people in surrounding towns and counties do not always find it as easy to access information, so now with the mobile unit, we can set up an information point literally anywhere in the country," she adds.
It is estimated that about 17 per cent of the Irish population have some sort of hearing loss, ranging from mild to profound, depending on the type, extent and timing of hearing loss.
At least three-quarters of people with hearing loss are over 60 years and it is usually more prevalent among men. People with hearing impairments have difficulty in hearing sounds and, in some cases, in speaking clearly. As a result, hearing loss can restrict proper communication and can interfere with a person's quality of life.
The introduction of NAD's mobile resource unit will mean that more people will now be able to have their hearing levels assessed and practitioners attached to the unit will also be able to refer people to their GP or to an audiologist, if they require further assessment of their hearing.
The unit will also provide information on a range of services available, including local audiology centres, as well as displays of technical aids and appliances - such as amplified telephones, TV listening devices and deaf alerter systems - for people with hearing problems.
Information on how to access NAD's family support services and on making an appointment with one of the association's consultant psychologists or social workers will also be available for people whose lives are affected by hearing loss and deafness, for example, for parents of deaf children or for children of parents with a hearing impairment.
"This is the first ever service of its kind in Ireland and so far we have been inundated with requests from people of all ages, visiting the unit, who are looking for information or who want to have their hearing checked," O'Brien says.
"We hope to provide this service on an ongoing basis to people throughout the country and to encourage people to look after their hearing and to identify if they need help or further assessment," she says.
The new mobile resource unit, which was purchased and renovated earlier this year, is financed by NAD funds. However, the association hopes to make a submission to health boards in the country to apply for further funding and support.
For further information on the mobile unit and for a timetable of scheduled visits, contact NAD on 01- 8723800.