This free maintenance service might be of interest to you or someone you now – here is an introduction to the service of the Hearing Champions in New Haw:
WHAT ARE HEARING CHAMPIONS?
Hearing Champions are volunteers who have been trained by the NHS audiology staff in the basics of hearing aid maintenance. In addition, volunteers from the parish churches have been trained on safeguarding matters and have had the appropriate DBS checks.
In New Haw, Hearing Champions have been operating at All Saints’ Church for approximately four years and there is now a group of four trained volunteers making two teams to operate in two venues. The volunteers are in regular contact with Tracey Wade, Sensory Inclusion Officer at the Diocese, who also organises regular ongoing refresher training for them.
WHAT SUPPORT DO THEY OFFER?
Two-hour sessions are held once a month at Bosco’s (All Saints’ Church) as well as the New Haw Day Centre in Amis Avenue, New Haw.
Hearing Champions offer a range of services:
• Checking the hearing aid is working
• Re-tubing, ear mould cleaning and battery replacement
• Checking the fitting of the hearing aid in the ear
• Advice on maintenance and cleaning of the hearing aid
• Advice and support on making the most of the hearing aid
• Information and signposting to other services and useful equipment.
The service is free and available to anyone with a 'behind the ear' NHS hearing aid. Training and the provision of sundry supplies are funded by the local NHS audiology departments in partnership with the Diocese of Guildford.
You can find the next session dates advertised at All Saints’ Church throughout their buildings, at the Day Centre, the Library and the Community Centre in New Haw, and on the local community website the week of the session. If neither of these are an option, do feel free to call Anne Sharp on 01932 340976 to find out when the next session will take place. All are welcome to make use of this free service and get to know the friendly volunteers from All Saints’ Church.
This picture shows Anne Sharp and Julie Barlow during a session in Bosco’s.
Photo credits: John Sharp, All Saints’ Church