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News & Views

Making things happen for Deaf and hard of hearing people

Autumn/Winter 2013

NEW HEAD OFFICE

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

Follow us on Twitter at:www.twitter.com/afd_uk

Find us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/actionfordeafness

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Photo on front cover shows, Professor Sue Hill OBE at the opening of the AFD new Head Offi ce

Aids to CambodiaAction for Deafness recently sent 814 hearing aids to be used in Cambodia, as part of its yearly donation. To date, over 2,000 hearing aids have been sent. The hearing aids will be used by All Ears Cambodia, an organisation that supports those with a hearing loss hardest hit by poverty.

One in two landmine survivors have a hearing loss and one in three acid attacks cause hearing loss. The hearing aids donated by Action for Deafness will help enable and empower the recipients to live full, independent lives.

Chris Wingrove, Operations Manager of Action for Deafness, said: ‘I visited the project in 2011 and I’ve seen fi rst hand not only the hardship that people are living in but also the difference the

hearing aids donated by our service users make.’ The aids were donated to Action for Deafness from service users and supporters of the West Sussex based charity. ‘ We’ve had donations from across the country and even some from abroad. The Deaf and hard of hearing communities are very supportive, so when they know they can help someone in need they are more than willing to donate an aid they no longer need. Many of our donations have come from people who have lost a loved one who was using the aid, and I think it brings comfort to know that the aid is going to someone who really needs it.’

If you have an unwanted hearing aid that you would like to donate, then please send it to us.

The offi cial opening of our new Head Offi ce gave us an opportunity to celebrate the expansion of premises and services that the organisation has achieved in the past 12 months. We were honoured to have the Chief Scientifi c Offi cer NHS England (Professor Sue Hill OBE) with us that day; she is hugely supportive of the work that AFD does. You can read a full report on pages 6-7.

As a long-term user of a cochlear implant I am always interested to see how the criteria for these devices changes and how the surgical procedures and rehabilitation develops, so I was fascinated to read Neville Way’s piece on page 3.

We are always grateful to AFD supporters and rely on their donations to continue much of our work. If you have ever considered leaving a charitable gift in your Will, then please read further details of how such a gift could help us with our work, on page 4.

If you are a new hearing aid user, then you will be invited to come along to one of our ‘Communication Tactics for New Users’ courses. These sessions provide invaluable tips on learning to live with

A word of welcome from the CEO

hearing loss and how to communicate with reduced hearing. They also provide lots of useful information to those close to someone with a hearing loss, so do persuade your family and friends to come along with you. You may also like to join one of our regular lip reading classes. Full details of all our courses can be found on page 9.

If you have a hearing aid that you no longer use, then you might like to donate it to AFD. We send used hearing aids to ‘All Ears Cambodia’, and you can read more about their work below.

We have lots of other news and information to share with you in the pages of this edition. I do hope you will fi nd it both informative and entertaining.

Jane Shaw CEO

ContentsA word of welcome from the CEO...............................................2

Aids to Cambodia ......................................2

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

Cochlear Implant User ...........................3

Leaving a Gift in your will ....................4

New Head Offi ce opening ...............6-7

BSL fi ngerspelling competition...........9

New Resource Centre assistant .......9

Out and about with AFD ....................10

Club details & Churches with Communication support ....................11

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

Hearing Aid Maintenance clinic dates ...................................................12

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Q: How does the microphone on a hearing aid pick up sound?

A: Hearing aids now have both an omnidirectional and a directional microphone. This is because speech often comes from directions other than in front of the listener. Usually, the omnidirectional microphone mode is used in quiet listening situations (e.g. in the home) whereas the directional microphone is used in noisy listening situations (e.g. restaurants). Modern NHS hearing aids automatically switch the microphone mode when necessary. The front microphone picks up sounds in front, then a millisecond later the rear microphone picks up the same sound. The computer chip inside the aid can then tell where the sounds have come from and switch to the most appropriate setting for speech understanding and comfort.

Q: How does noise reduction know which sounds to cut out?

A: Hearing aids have the Capability to sample the incoming sound waves and to analyse them to determine whether the incoming signal is a speech signal or a noise signal. They then adjust to allow useful speech to pass through.

Q: What is automatic gain control?

A: This is when the hearing aid applies gain or amplifi cation to each frequency depending on the incoming signal. This will amplify soft or quiet sounds more than loud sounds, thus reducing the need for a volume control.

Q: Why are two hearing aids better than one?

A: The benefi t of using two hearing aids is realised in the brain. When both ears pick up a sound equally, they can locate where the signal has come from. The brain can then effectively fi lter out the non-important signals and focus on the “wanted” sound.

Q: Should I wait for my hearing to get worse before getting a hearing aid?

A: The longer people wait to wear a hearing aid, the more it can affect their ability to use one later on. The brain is used to sensory input, and when we deprive the brain of certain sounds and signals it ‘forgets’ what normal sounds are like. When we have early intervention with hearing aids, the brain is put back on track and can cope more easily. If reduced hearing is left unaided for too long, the patient usually feels that the aids sound too sharp and tinny.

From time to time, the audiologists at Action for Deafness come across a patient for whom hearing aids might not be the best option. Mr Neville Way was one such patient and here he tells of his experiences of being referred for, and receiving, a cochlear implant.

“My hearing loss began in the 1980s and got gradually worse. I bought more powerful digital aids every few years until 2010 when my GP referred me to Action for Deafness. The audiologist fi tted me with two very powerful NHS hearing aids. Unfortunately, I did not get much benefi t from these. Liam Thompson, the Chief Audiologist at Action for Deafness, then suggested that hearing aids were not the best solution for my hearing loss. He said that I might fi t the criteria for a cochlear implant. This is a device which is only available for people with severe to profound hearing loss. The implant consists of a receiver, which is implanted under the skin behind the ear and an external sound processor which sits behind the ear is attached to the receiver through the skin, by a magnet.

Liam wrote to my GP who sent me for a viability assessment. I was assessed by an audiological scientist in the ENT Department at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, who referred me to Guy’s & St. Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust In London for further assessment. In

Cochlear Implant UserNovember 2012, I was accepted for a cochlear implant and a fi nal decision regarding my suitability was made by a team comprising an audiological scientist, a speech & language therapist, a hearing therapist, a consultant surgeon and a radiologist. Following the team meeting, I had an appointment with the director of the implant centre who accepted the decision of the team and gave consent for me to have the procedure. He subsequently carried out my operation on 18 April. The operation took about 3 hours and I was discharged the following day.

Three weeks after surgery, the sound processor was programmed and switched on. The switch-on took place over two days at St. Thomas’ with assessments and tests followed by speech and language therapy. It will probably be at least six months before my hearing reaches a comfortable level and I will need to work hard to obtain maximum benefi t.

I am not there yet but the implant has already improved my life. ”

Neville Way

Q&A with Chief Audiologist Liam Thompson: Hearing Aid Technology

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Planning for the future with a Pre-paid Funeral PlanBecause being prepared today could help your loved ones tomorrow

Haywards Heath6-8 South Road01444 448 921This funeral home has a funeral director who is a B.S.L. Level 2 signerwww.co-operativefuneralcare.co.uk

Since April 2012, donating at least 10% in your Will to charity means the tax burden on your remaining taxable estate is reduced from 40% to 36%.

Leaving a Gift in your will Leaving a gift in your will can make a huge difference to charities like Action for Deafness. When asked, 35% of people said they would leave a gift in their will once family and friends had been considered, but only 7% actually do so.

You do not have to be rich and famous to leave a charitable gift that will make a difference. You can do something amazing for local Deaf and Hard of Hearing people just by remembering Action for Deafness when

writing your will. An added incentive is that, since April 2012, if you leave at least 10% of your estate to charity, the remaining inheritance tax burden on the estate will be reduced from 40% to 36%. The money left to Action for Deafness will help us to provide exceptional services to Deaf and hard of hearing people, so please remember Action for Deafness when writing your will.

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Opening TimesFRIDAY from 11:30am until 7.30pm

SATURDAY from 11:30 am until 6:30pmSUNDAY 11:30am – 5:30pm followed by

a carol service at 6pm

Christmas Tree FestivalHoly Trinity Church C U C K F I E L DFriday 6th, Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th December 2013

70 MAGNIFICENTLY DECORATED TREES

Refreshments and live music

Admission

£4Children

FREE

official charity partnerCharity No. 1122579

A3 Xmas Tree AFD poster.indd 1 05/09/2013 09:57A4 Xmas Tree AFD poster.indd 1 05/09/2013 09:57

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On Wednesday 31st July, Professor Sue Hill OBE, Chief Scientifi c Offi cer NHS England, offi cially opened the new Head Offi ce in Haywards Heath. The new Head Offi ce has been well received by service users with the Resouce Centre, equipment demonstration room and large car park proving very popular. The new larger audiology rooms have been fi tted with state-of-the-art equipment, allowing the audiologists to test hearing in the best possible environment.

New Head Offi ce OpeningNew Head Offi ce Opening

“I can’t thank you enough for my marvellous new hearing aids”

Worthing Patient

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When she opened the new facility, Professor Sue Hill OBE said: ‘Action for Deafness has provided a shining example of how to deliver NHS hearing services together with a range of outreach services expertly. This service is one that you must all be proud of and I share in that pride.’

Jane Shaw, CEO of Action for Deafness, added: ‘The passion that drives us – to make things happen for our service users – remains at the core of everything that we do. I am proud to say that we have built an exceptional team of staff, trustees and volunteers, all of whom work beyond the call of duty to give the best possible service to our clients.’

Roger Hewitt, Chairman of Action for Deafness, said: ‘West Sussex is very lucky to have such a

fantastic service. It is the envy of many other areas.’The relocation to the new Head Offi ce was

just one of many changes for Action for Deafness this year. Three new audiology centres in Crawley, East Grinstead and Handcross were opened and the Worthing base was extended and refurbished. The improved service makes Action for Deafness the obvious choice for people with a hearing loss.

The new centre boasts a large conference room and a meeting room, which are available for hire. The rooms are already in frequent use for Sign Language classes and Lip Reading classes.

New Head Offi ce OpeningNew Head Offi ce Opening

“I appreciate the efforts you made and how worthwhile it has proved to be”

Haywards Heath Patient

“Your care, expertise and kindness is outstanding”

East Grinstead Patient

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Please contact us:

www.bsl-link4comm.co.uk office@bsl-link4comm.co.uk 07794 405794 01444 247159

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

www.bsl-link4comm.co.uk office@bsl-link4comm.co.uk 07794 405794 01444 247159www.bsl-link4comm.co.uk office@bsl-link4comm.co.uk 07794 405794 01444 247159www.bsl-link4comm.co.uk office@bsl-link4comm.co.uk 07794 405794 01444 247159

BSL Link for Communication Ltd,

www.bsl-link4comm.co.uk office@bsl-link4comm.co.uk 07794 405794 01444 247159

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

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Meeting on the 3rd Tuesday of the Month at 5.30pm

This group is for people who have impaired hearing and

enjoy discussing books in a small group.

Read books from Peter Ackroyd to Emile Zola and everything in-between!

We’ll be sharing views in a relaxed environment created with the needs of hearing impaired and deaf people in mind.

To join please contact Mike Morten, Community Librarian, by phone on

01903 704809 or by email: mike.morten@westsussex.gov.uk

Worthing Library Richmond Road

BN11 1HD 01903 7048096

HOH – The Hard of Hearing Book Group

Action for Deafness recently supported a BSL fi ngerspelling competition. Children were taught some fi ngerspelling, then challenged to fi ngerspell the alphabet in the quickest time. The winner received a pack of holographic signing cards from Action for Deafness.

Laura Ajidahun- Resource Centre Assistant – Worthing

BSL fi ngerspelling competition

Laura Ajidahun joined Action for Deafness straight after fi nishing her Psychology degree at Sussex University in July 2013. Laura is a child of Deaf adults (CODA). Her parents helped her to understand the importance of independence for the Deaf community. Her background has given her good deaf awareness and a range of skills that she brings to the organisation.

In her role as Resource Centre assistant at the Worthing base she gives advice to patients and maintains their hearing aids as well as demonstrating and selling the products available in the Resource Centre.

Laura hopes to continue her studies whilst working with AFD by training to be a counsellor. She comments that “being a CODA means I know from experience the diffi culties of hearing loss and how it can also affect those living with deaf people. I hope to use my life experiences

and my degree in my role at AFD.” Laura, who already has Level 2 BSL qualifi cations, also plans to study for Level 3 in BSL, so she will be better able to provide a counselling service for the Deaf community.

Nikki Day has taken over the role of Volunteer Service Co-ordinator. She is now the main contact for our volunteers and for volunteer recruitment.

Action for Deafness offers an Introduction to British Sign Language classThis 10 week programme is aimed at beginners and we will introduce some of the most commonly used signs. The emphasis is on enjoying the learning experience without the pressure of assessment or examination.

START DATES:

TUESDAY 14 JANUARY 2014 FROM 19:00-21:00

Action for Deafness Meeting Room, 51 Rowlands Road, Worthing, West Sussex BN11 3JN.

THURSDAY 16 JANUARY 2014 FROM 16:00-18:00 Action for Deafness Conference Room, 22 Sussex Road, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH16 4EAThe cost of the course is £100 + £15 for a course textbook

Action for Deafness is pleased to offer a new evening Lip Reading class

Lip reading is a skill which may improve communication and build confi dence.

START DATE: WEDNESDAY 15 JANUARY 2014 FROM 18:00 – 20:00 Action for Deafness Meeting Room, 51 Rowlands Road, Worthing BN11 3JN The cost is £30 for the 10 week term

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Out and about with AFD

Available in our Resource Centres and online

www.actionfordeafness.org.uk

New Equipment OUT NOW

“Grateful thanks for the excellent care”

Crawley Patient

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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: jwredsign@btinternet.com

Pub GatheringWhere: Goffs Park Hotel, Goffs Park Road, Crawley.When: 1st Fridays, from 8pm onwards.Contact: paula@eboz.co.uk (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 sensory.support@westsussex.gov.uk

The Friday Club ( Ages 11 – 19)Where: Youth Club, Thomas Bennett Community College,

Ashdown Drive, Tilgate, Crawley.When: Every week on Fridays, from 7pm to 9pm.Contact: 01293 866816 (voice),

dwoodhatch@btinternet.com

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: shoeoff@msn.com

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, ma.booker@talk21.com

LITTLEHAMPTON Arun Community ChurchLittlehampton Community School, Hill Road, LittlehamptonEvery Sunday at 10.30am Contact: Arun Community Church, 01903 787078 (fax), offi ce@aruncommunitychurch.com

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), helen.swyer@diochi.org.uk

Jubilee Community ChurchWorthing High School, South Farm Road, WorthingEvery Sunday at 10amContact: Jubilee Community Church, 01903 821921 (voice), offi ce@jubilee-church.co.uk

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), helen.swyer@diochi.org.uk

EAST GRINSTEADTrinity Methodist ChurchLingfi eld Road, East GrinsteadEvery Sunday at 10.45amContact: admin@trinitymethodist.org.uk

Advertise with us...For more information about advertising in this magazine please contact us by email info@actionfordeafness.org.uk or by telephone

01444 415582

Hearing Aid Maintenance Clinics 2013-14 DatesProviding 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: info@actionfordeafness.org.uk

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

Tel: 01903 217341 Fax: 01903 239117Minicom: 01903 201243Email: info@actionfordeafness.org.ukAudiology 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: _______________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

Address: ______________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

_____________________________ Postcode: ________________

Telephone: ____________________________________________

Email: ________________________________________________

Please select your preferred payment option for your annual subscription

CASH CHEQUE (made payable to Action for Deafness)

I do NOT wish to become a member, however I would like to make a donation of £______________

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 info@actionfordeafness.org.uk

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

CRAWLEY CLINICGossops Green Medical, Hurst Close

Every Tuesday 9.30am-12.30pm

HASSOCKSAGE UK, DALE AVENUE

1st Tuesday of each month at 10.30am5th November3rd December7th January4th February4th March1st April6th May

3rd June1st July5th August2nd September7th October4th November2nd December

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

5th November3rd December7th January4th February4th March1st April6th May

3rd June1st July5th August2nd September7th October4th November2nd December

PULBOROUGHPULBOROUGH PRIMARY CARE CENTRE,

SPIRO CLOSE1st Friday of each month at 10am

1st November6th December3rd January7th February7th March4th April2nd May

6th June4th July1st August5th September3rd October7th November5th December

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