action for deafness news & views summer 2014

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News & Views

Making things happen for Deaf and hard of hearing people

Spring/Summer 2014

Action for Deafness celebrates 20th Anniversary

www.actionfordeafness.org.uk Charity No. 1122579 Company No. 6205458

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Photo on the front cover shows audiologist Anna Hollingdale making a donation to the 20th anniversary fund

Action for Deafness has been providing exemplary service for Deaf and hard of hearing people for 20 years. Whilst landmark anniversaries tempt us to look backwards, the whole team here are looking forwards to the next 20 years of service provision with considerable enthusiasm and optimism.

There will be a wide variety of events taking place to mark this signifi cant year in the organisation’s history. We hope to raise an additional £20,000 during the course of the year to help us to continue the service provision to our ever increasing client base. The events will include a quiz night, a golf day at the prestigious Mid Sussex Golf Club, a sponsored 10K run and 20K walk and an Autumn Conference. You can read more about our plans on pages 5-7 and I hope you will be able to join in the celebrations at least one of the events.

Our fundraising efforts were given a huge boost at the end of last year from the proceeds of the Cuckfi eld Christmas Tree Festival and you can see some photographs of that spectacular event on page 9.

Action for Deafness is proud to provide the most up to date technology to our clients and our Chief Audiologist has given more details of an exciting development in hearing aid technology on page 3. When the organisation was founded is 1994, all hearing aids were analogue and the only assistive listening device available was the rather primitive Crystal Listener. We live in exciting times and the advances in technology over the last 20 years have been manifold. We have an extensive range of the latest

A word of welcome from the CEO

equipment in our Resource Centres and on our web site.

SMS, email, Facebook, Twitter and Skype have, of course, transformed the way in which Deaf and hard of hearing people communicate and have done much to alleviate isolation and increase independence. You can follow AFD on both Facebook and Twitter to keep abreast of developments and activities.

With a staff of 20 there is always some news and we have shared some of that with our readers on page 9. Some of our Worthing clients will remember Sarah Carey (nee Owen) who worked as our Worthing Services Manager for several years. Sarah left us to train to be an audiologist and we are delighted that she will be returning to work with us, as an audiologist, in July.

AFD sees more and more clients in its outreach clinics every month and we are always keen to recruit enthusiastic volunteers. We are in greatest need of assistance in the Crawley area. If you have a few hours to spare each week and would like to join our dedicated team please contact us for further details.

Whilst AFD focuses on the needs of its client base in West Sussex, we are keen to keep abreast of national developments in order to ensure we are delivering the best possible service at all times. I was invited to join the recent national debate about Cochlear Implants which was prompted when a video of a user’s switch on went viral on YouTube. AFD was also represented at the launch of the Sign Health report into Health Care for profoundly Deaf people and at two recent parliamentary receptions.

I had a very proud moment earlier this year when I was presented with The Heather Jackson Award. You can see a full report and photograph on page 4.

I do hope you will enjoy this anniversary edition of News and Views and I look forward to seeing you at one of our celebratory events.

CEO interviewed on Jeremy Vine ShowAFD’s CEO, Jane Shaw, was asked to join the debate about Cochlear Implants on the Jeremy Vine show on Radio 2 earlier this year. As someone who was deafened suddenly and profoundly as a young adult, Jane spoke of the exceptionally positive impact the Cochlear Implant has had on her life.

ContentsWord of welcome from the CEO ...........................................................2

Q&A with the Chief Audiologist ......3

National Award for CEO.......................4

20th Anniversary celebrations ...........6

Fundraising ideas .........................................7

Cuckfi eld Christmas Tree Festival ....9

Staff news .........................................................9

Action for Deafness in Uganda ..........9

Deaf Services .............................................10

Club details & churches with communication support ......................11

Membership application form ..........12

Hearing aid maintenance clinic dates .....................12

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with more profound hearing loss to wear the smaller neater discreet tubes, previously not available for more powerful hearing aids.

Additional programming software gives the audiologist more options with your prescription allowing the audiologist to fi nely tune the aid more accurately to the patient’s needs.

Q: Can I be fi tted with a Synergy Aid?

A: AFD now fi ts Synergy aids from all its audiology centres. Ask your GP to refer you to Action for Deafness so that you can take advantage of the latest hearing aid technology. If you are one of our existing patients then you will be fi tted with a Synergy aid when you have your next reassessment.

Q: I have heard that the new hearing aids are Bluetooth enabled. What does this mean?

A: This means that the hearing aid is able to connect to a device know as a “Streamer” which operates the hearing aid remotely. The Streamer can also connect to other devices such as landline telephones, mobile phones, television, remote microphones and music centres. Ask your audiologist for more details and for a demonstration. Streamers are not available on the NHS but can be purchased from our Resource Centres.

Q & A with Chief Audiologist Liam Thompson: New NHS Hearing Aids

For more information about Oticon ConnectLine call +44 (0) 1698 283363 or visit www.oticon.com/connectline

Computer Microphone Tele loop FM Personal remoteTVPhone Mobile MusicOffice Phone

NewNew New

ConnectLine is the perfect partner to Oticon Spirit Synergy hearing instruments

FMFMFMNeww Ne

ConnectLine for life’s many situations

ConnectLine allows you to connect easily, comfortably and wirelessly through one simple device, Streamer Pro.

Transform your hearing instruments into a personal wireless headset.

ConnectLine enhances communication across the board. Face-to-face conversations are clearer and easier to control.

Watching TV, listening to music, video chatting and talking on the phone are simpler than ever before.

Q: What features do the latest NHS digital hearing aids have?

A: The Oticon Synergy hearing aids have advanced directional microphones to improve the hearing experience and help the user determine where the sound has come from. This feature is most advantageous when the user is in noisy environments such as in a crowd or in a restaurant. The hearing aid automatically selects the best microphone settings for the environment.

The Synergy aids have improved feedback cancellation which helps to eliminate whistling.

One of the hearing aid’s programs can improve listening to music by increasing the quality and depth of sound, giving a more natural sensation.

Synergy aids enable some people

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Photograph shows Jane with Chief Executive of Hearing LINK, Lorraine Gailey and Chair of NADP, Ross Trotter

National Award for CEOAFD’s CEO, Jane Shaw, was presented with The Heather Jackson Award at Southampton Solent University Conference Centre on 26 April.

The Heather Jackson Award is made annually to a deafened person who has made a signifi cant contribution to the improvement of the welfare and opportunity of deafened people. Three national charities are involved in the annual award; National Association of Deafened People, Hearing Link and Signature.

AFD’s fundraising and training offi cer, Cathy Cobbold, was the recipient of this award in 2011, so AFD now proudly displays a trophy at both Haywards Heath and Worthing bases.

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Joint Autumn Conference

Hearing in NoiseSaturday October 11th 2014

at Action for Deafness HEAD OFFICE

&

Do you fi nd it diffi cult to hear in background noise? With presentations from experts and practical workshops this conference is designed to increase understanding of why hearing in noise is diffi cult for hearing aid users and what can be done to improve it.Company No: 6205458 Charity No: 1122579

TO BOOK please email [email protected] or call 01444 415 582

Conference ad 1-2.indd 1 22/04/2014 11:20

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18 HOLES OF GOLF AND 2 COURSE DINNER

Teams of 4 at £50 per head. Additional dinner guests £20 per head

Sponsorship packages also available. Please contact Action for Deafness for details.

Charity Golf DayThursday 18th SeptemberTEE OFF 11AM

Company No: 6205458 Charity No: 1122579

TO BOOK please email

[email protected] or call 01444 415 582

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20th20thAction for Deafness is celebrating 20 years of delivering exemplary service. The organisation was founded by a group of Deaf and hard of hearing people. Core funding was secured from West Sussex County Council in April 1994. Twenty years later, the organisation has expanded and now provides a comprehensive range of services for Deaf and hard of hearing people including NHS audiology, lip reading classes, deaf awareness training, sign language classes and an advocacy service.

Two large Resource Centres in Haywards Heath and Worthing have a full range of assistive listening devices available for demonstration and sale. Services are also available from outreach clinics around West Sussex. Last year, Action for Deafness saw over 13,000 people for audiology appointments and serviced over 17,000 hearing aids at its drop in clinics.

Action for Deafness is a qualifi ed provider of NHS adult rehabilitation audiology services and was the fi rst provider to gain UKAS accreditation for its audiology service. It now has six audiology centres across the County. State of the art equipment is used for testing hearing and fi tting hearing aids and on going support is always available at any of our centres.

A team of dedicated volunteers run the outreach clinics and can provide home visits to those who are house bound. More than ten million people in the UK have a hearing loss and this number is expected to grow in the coming years so there is much work to be done. The organisation has already expanded further this year, adding more audiology rooms in Haywards Heath and Worthing. Patient satisfaction is high with 99% of patients saying they would recommend the service to a friend.

To celebrate 20 years of service provision the organisation hopes to raise an additional £20,000 from fundraising events throughout the year. More information can be found in our Resource Centres or on line at www.actionfordeafness.org.uk

‘Cocoa and Cookies’ Take Top PrizeSeven teams of enthusiastic supporters battled for the top prize at AFD’s quiz night. Quiz master, Liam Thompson, congratulated the winning team and presented captain Brian Cook with the prize.

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AnniversaryAnniversaryFundraising ideas

As part of its 20th anniversary celebrations Action for Deafness hopes to raise £20,000 to support its services to Deaf and hard of hearing people. There are many ways in which you can help Action for Deafness to achieve its target.

Host a Coffee morningAction for Deafness supporters have hosted coffee mornings in the past to raise money for Action for Deafness and raise awareness of hearing loss. Why not invite some friends to your home and ask them to make a donation for coffee and cake?

Collect used stampsCut all the stamps from the mail you receive and send them to FAO: Action for Deafness, c/o Fords Farm

HORSEY, Norfolk NR29 4EPAll proceeds go to AFD

Donate ClothesAction for Deafness has teamed up with Clothes for Charity. Simply register on line at www.clothesforcharity.org.uk and they will send you a bag to donate your unwanted clothes. They will even send a courier to collect the clothes form your home.

Sponsor one of AFD’s own eventsAction for Deafness runners competed in the Burgess Hill 10k on May 5th 2014 raising money for Action for Deafness. You can still make a donation at www.justgiving.com/actionfordeafness or at one of our Resource Centres or outreach clinics.

20ps for 20 YearsCollect 20 pence pieces. Just make up one of the Action for Deafness 20p boxes and fi ll it with 20ps. Return it to one of our Resource Centres or outreach clinics when full. If you are a UK tax payer, remember to sign the gift aid declaration.

Fundraising ideasAs part of its 20th anniversary celebrations Action for Deafness hopes to raise £20,000 to support its services to Deaf and hard of hearing people. There are many ways in which you can help Action for Deafness to achieve its target.

Host a Coffee morningAction for Deafness supporters have hosted coffee mornings in the past to raise money for Action for

for Deafness 20p boxes and fi ll it with 20ps. Return it to one of our Resource Centres or outreach clinics when full. If you are a UK tax payer, remember to sign the gift aid

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www.bsl-link4comm.co.uk [email protected] 07794 405794 01444 247159

BSL Link for Communication Ltd, PO Box 364, Burgess Hill, RH15 5BJ

www.bsl-link4comm.co.uk [email protected] 07794 405794 01444 247159www.bsl-link4comm.co.uk [email protected] 07794 405794 01444 247159www.bsl-link4comm.co.uk [email protected] 07794 405794 01444 247159

BSL Link for Communication Ltd,


Provider of Sign Language Interpreters and other

Language Service Professionals across Sussex and the South East.

We also offer a range of training courses, including Deaf Awareness and Sign Language,

led by experienced Deaf professionals.

Your individual communication needs are our priority.

22 Sussex Road, Haywards Heath, West Sussex RH16 4EA

Please contact us:












Please contact us:












Please contact us for details of our level 1 and level 2 BSL courses, accredited by Signature, and starting in September 2014

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Staff news New Recruit Anna HollingdaleAudiologist

Cuckfi eld Christmas Tree Festival 2013Action for Deafness was chosen as the Partner Charity for the 2013 Cuckfi eld Christmas Tree Festival. This spectacular event took place during the weekend of the 6-8 December 2013 culminating in a Carol Service at which the Action for Deafness Signing Choir performed. The event was a huge success with the highest turnout in the event’s 10 year history. Volunteers and staff were on hand over the weekend to man the Action for Deafness stall in The Old School, holding a raffl e, a name the bear contest and selling home made produce donated by supporters.

The church kindly presented CEO Jane Shaw with a cheque for £5,800 at the morning service on 29 December.

Anna graduated from Brunel University in 2011 with a fi rst class BSc degree in Biomedical Sciences. She then went on to do an MSc in Audiology at Southampton University where she was awarded the ‘Elsevier prize for Audiology’. Anna has since gained experience practising adult hearing aid rehabilitation and vestibular audiology in NHS hospitals in London.

Anna was recruited by AFD in January 2014 and works from both our Haywards Heath and Worthing bases.

Action for Deafness in Uganda Last year Action for Deafness was approached by Dr Rob Morris who had an unusual request. Dr Morris had been supporting a hospital in Uganda where one of the nurses had a hearing loss. As there is little provision for support in Uganda, Dr Morris asked if AFD could help. After a quick think AFD found the solution to be a donated personal listener. With no maintenance needed and being battery operated the unit is exceptionally easy to use . Dr Morris took this assistive listening device to Uganda on his next trip and sent us this picture of Nurse Zeressi and her sister Ketoi with her new personal listener.

AFD’s Haywards Heath receptionist/volunteer service co-ordinator Nikki Day, married Mr Michael Cox at Cisswood House Hotel on Saturday 26th April.

Burgess Hill Darby and Joan (Deaf Club)

By popular demand, the club’s 2013 Christmas lunch was held at The Oak Barn in Burgess Hill. The club was provided with a private room and a good time was had by all. The members all agreed that the food was delicious and there was a lot of laughter. At the end of the lunch Jeanne Murphy thanked AFD on behalf of all the members for providing this special event in the club’s calendar. Jeanne also gave special thanks to Gerry Turton for all the work she does with the club throughout the year. If you would like details about the Darby & Joan club, which meets monthly in Burgess Hill, please contact AFD.

The ‘Roger Pen’ is the latest product by Phonak. The wireless, directional

microphone can be used with a loop system (T switch) or an adapter shoe can be fi tted

to certain hearing aids to stream sound from the microphone. The Roger Pen can improve hearing in noise and can also be used

for television listening. One client who tried this device said: ‘I have had impressive results with the Roger Pen and have used it successfully at home, on walks and in restaurants. I have also been able to listen to the news on TV for the fi rst time in many years’.

The Roger Pen is available in our Resource Centres and can be found online at www.actionfordeafness.org.uk

Deaf ServicesAction for Deafness Deaf services manager, Gerry Turton, has seen an increase in demand for the service AFD offers profoundly Deaf people over the last few months. AFD works with Social Services and other service providers to meet Deaf people’s needs, to reduce isolation and to improve quality of life.

AFD offers a full range of support and is always happy to discuss individual needs. Consultations can be conducted in BSL or English. Speech to Text support is also available on request.

Sick of It Two members of Action for Deafness staff attended the launch of the “Sick of It” report by SignHealth and BSMHD in March. This report highlighted the extreme inequality of access to health care for profoundly Deaf people. The conference was followed by a Parliamentary reception and a debate in the House of Lords. AFD works hard to address inequality and can provide comprehensive Deaf Awareness Training to health care professionals. Please contact us for more details.

The ‘Roger Pen’ is the latest product

microphone can be used with a loop system (T switch) or an adapter shoe can be fi tted

to certain hearing aids to stream sound from the microphone. The Roger Pen can improve hearing in noise and can also be used The Roger Pen can improve hearing in noise and can also be used

for television listening. One client who tried this device said: ‘I have had for television listening. One client who tried this device said: ‘I have had impressive results with the Roger Pen and have used it successfully at impressive results with the Roger Pen and have used it successfully at home, on walks and in restaurants. I have also been able to listen to the home, on walks and in restaurants. I have also been able to listen to the news on TV for the fi rst time in many years’.news on TV for the fi rst time in many years’.

The Roger Pen is available in our Resource Centres and can be found online at www.actionfordeafness.org.uk

New Equipment Available in our Resource Centres

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can provide comprehensive Deaf Awareness

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BOGNOR REGISCommunication Group (BSL & Lip-Reading – practice & support)Where: Laburnum Centre, Lyon Street,

Bognor Regis, PO21 1UX.When: Every Friday, from 7pm onwards.Contact: Tricia Johnson – 07794 655368 (voice/sms)

George – 07737 889954

BURGESS HILLAFD Burgess Hill Darby & Joan (Deaf) ClubWhere: Burgess Hill Conservative ClubWhen: 1st Friday of each month. 11am to 4pmContact: Action for Deafness, Tel / SMS: 01444 415582,

Fax: 01444 415587, Text: 01444 415593

CRAWLEY Crawley Deaf Darby & Joan ClubWhere: The Twitten, Ginhams Road, Crawley.When: 1st & 3rd Wednesdays, from 10am to 4pm.Contact: Mary Dean – 01293 523488 (fax)

Crawley Deaf Social ClubWhere: Three Bridges Community Centre,

Gales Place, Three Bridges, Crawley.When: 3rd Saturday, from 6pm to 10.30pmContact: John Redwood: [email protected]

Pub GatheringWhere: Goffs Park Hotel, Goffs Park Road, Crawley.When: 1st Fridays, from 8pm onwards.Contact: [email protected] (email)

Springboard – Mothers & ToddlersWhere: Northgate Children Family Centre, Barnfi eld Road,

Northgate RH10 8DPWhen: 2nd & 4th Fridays, from 9.30am to 11.30am.Contact: Liz Beatty – Sensory Support Team – 0845 0751007 [email protected]

WORTHING

Worthing Deaf Darby & Joan Club Contact: Peter Cornish – 01903 752058 (fax)

Worthing Deaf Social ClubContact: Julie Cornish – 01903 752058 (fax)

Worthing Hard of Hearing ClubWhere: Methold House, North Street, Worthing.When: Every Monday (except August), from 7.30pm to 9pmContact: Barbara Cook 01903 230319 (voice/text)

Talking Hands Community Deaf Club Where: Glebelands Community Centre, Greystone Road,

Ferring, West SussexWhen: Mondays 7pm – 9pmContact: Helen Duke: [email protected]

Clubs in West Sussex

Churches with Communication Support in West SussexHORSHAMSt John the Evangelist RC Church3 Springfi eld Road, Horsham1st Saturdays of each month at 3pmContact: Maria Booker, [email protected]

LITTLEHAMPTON Arun Community ChurchLittlehampton Community School, Hill Road, LittlehamptonEvery Sunday at 10.30am Contact: Arun Community Church, 01903 787078 (fax), offi [email protected]

WORTHINGSt John the Divine ChurchCorner of Elm Grove / Ripley Road, Goring, Worthing4th Sunday of each month at 3pmContact: The Diocese of Chichester, 01273 421041 (voice), [email protected]

Jubilee Community ChurchWorthing High School, South Farm Road, WorthingEvery Sunday at 10amContact: Jubilee Community Church, 01903 821921 (voice), offi [email protected]

BURGESS HILL St John the EvangelistLower Church Road RH15 9AA4th Sunday of every month at 3pm. Led by Fr. Jonathan Baldwin, signed by Barbara Blundell

CRAWLEY St Alban ChurchGossops Drive, Gossops Green, Crawley2nd Sundays of each month at 9.30amContact: The Diocese of Chichester, 01273 421041 (voice), [email protected]

EAST GRINSTEADTrinity Methodist ChurchLingfi eld Road, East GrinsteadEvery Sunday at 10.45amContact: [email protected]

Advertise with us...For more information about advertising in this magazine please contact us by email [email protected] or by telephone

01444 415582

Hearing Aid Maintenance Clinics 2014 Dates

Providing advice, support, re-tubing and batteries

✁

Haywards Heath (Head Offi ce)22 Sussex Road, Haywards Heath, West Sussex RH16 4EA

Tel: 01444 415582 Fax: 01444 415587 Minicom: 01444 415593Email: [email protected]

Worthing 53 Rowlands Road, Worthing, West Sussex BN11 3JN

Tel: 01903 217341 Fax: 01903 239117Minicom: 01903 201243Email: [email protected] Services also available at: Crawley, Gossops Green MedicalEast Grinstead, Glen Vue Centre Handcross, Ouse Valley Practice Steyning, Steyning Health Centre

For information, please contact our head offi ce at Haywards Heath.www.actionfordeafness.org.uk

Contact Us

Membership SchemeAction for Deafness welcomes applications for membership from those who share our vision.

• Membership £7.00 per annum

Membership ApplicationI would like to join Action for Deafness

Name: _______________________________________________

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Address: ______________________________________________

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_____________________________ Postcode: ________________

Telephone: ____________________________________________

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Please select your preferred payment option for your annual subscription

CASH CHEQUE (made payable to Action for Deafness)

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If you pay tax on UK wages, savings or pensions, you can make your gift worth 25% more by signing the Gift Aid declaration.

YES, I would like Action for Deafness to treat all my donations as Gift Aid.

Signed: _______________________________________________

Date: ________________________________________________

Action for Deafness will hold your details for membership and marketing purposes in accordance with the 1998 Data Protection Act. If you do not wish to receive updates from us, please contact us on tel: 01444 415582, fax: 01444 415587 or [email protected]

MONTHLY CLINICS

We also have occasional clinics at AGE UK Horsham, Burgess Hill and Littlehampton

and in care homes around the County. Please contact us for more details.

WEEKLY CLINICSSTEYNING CLINIC

Every Thursday, 9.00am-12.30pm

EAST GRINSTEAD CLINICEvery Wednesday, 9.30am-12:30pm

HANDCROSSOUSE VALLEY PRACTISE, LONDON ROAD

1st Friday of each month 2pm

6th June4th July

1st August

5th September3rd October

7th November

5th December

HASSOCKSAGE UK, DALE AVENUE

1st Tuesday of each month at 10.30am

3rd June1st July

5th August

2nd September7th October

4th November

2nd December

CRAWLEY CLINIC GOSSOPS GREEN MEDICAL, HURST CLOSE

1st Tuesday of each month at 9:30am

3rd June 1st July

5th August

2nd September 7th October

4th November

2nd December

HENFIELDHENFIELD HALL, COOPERS WAY1st Tuesday of each month at 2pm

3rd June1st July

5th August

2nd September7th October

4th November

2nd December

PULBOROUGHPULBOROUGH PRIMARY CARE CENTRE,

SPIRO CLOSE1st Friday of each month at 10am

6th June4th July

1st August

5th September3rd October

7th November

5th December

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action for deafness news & views summer 2014

Documents

hearing aid technology

hearing aids

years of service provision

worthing clients

chief audiologist

exemplary service

date technology

client base