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If you live in or around Ross-on-Wye and suffer with a hearing
loss or tinnitus? If so, a new monthly support group to
be held at the Ryefield Centre might be just what you need.
The group has been formed to help sufferers to meet others
and to receive professional support and information.
Deaf
Direct are working with the centre to provide a space in
which those with a hearing loss or tinnitus can chat and
enjoy a cup of tea with home-made cake, safe in the knowledge
that they can hear and are included. Deafness is a hidden
disability. People don’t always wear hearing aids and even
if they do, you can’t always see them. Tinnitus is equally
so.
Did
you know there are around 26,000 people with a hearing loss
in Herefordshire and the number is growing every year? Jane
Seligman who is 91 years of age lives near Ross but comes
to the Hereford group when she can. She said: “I’m looking
forward to a group in my local area where I can meet others
and gain information more easily.” Most people now know
someone in their family, at work, or socially that has some
type of hearing loss or tinnitus. It can become harder to
understand and talk to people, including family members
and this can lead to people feeling isolated, left out and
lonely.
Deaf
Direct along with Primary Care Trust Small Schemes Funding,
Herefordshire have recently started a number of new groups
around the county. All of the groups are supported by the
project worker, Katarina Blair, who ensures that everyone
has access to good communication.
'We try to have a range of speakers and information available,
not only on health / deafness related topics but also other
subjects that people might miss out on due to their hearing
loss.' said Katarina Blair, Hard of Hearing project worker.
The new group is meeting at the Ryefield Centre on Monday
19th March from 2.30 PM until 4 PM and all are welcome.
If
you are interested in this group or any of the other groups
around Herefordshire, please contact Katarina at Deaf Direct
on 01432 357741 or e-mail hereford@deafdirect.org.uk. Deaf
Direct also offers impartial free advice on any topic related
to hearing loss from their centre in Hereford city centre.
If you have a hearing loss, or know someone who does, then
you are welcome to visit the centre between the hours of
9.30 am – 2.30 PM, Monday to Thursday at Kemble House, 37
Broad Street, Hereford, HR4 9AR.
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