RNID Northern Ireland is calling for people in Strabane to volunteer their time and knowledge to support a local project helping people adjust to life wearing a hearing aid.
The community-based project, run by RNID NI, the charity representing the 219,000 deaf and hard of hearing people in Northern Ireland, advises new hearing aid users on how to get the best performance from their aids.
Volunteers will be trained to check that hearing aids are working properly and show users how to carry out basic maintenance such as replacing tubing and batteries.
RNID NI Outreach Development Officer Maria Boyle said: “We’d be delighted to hear from volunteers interested in the rewarding experience of providing vital support and helping improve the everyday lives of new hearing aid users in Strabane.
“Perhaps you wear a hearing aid yourself and could tap into your own knowledge and experiences to pass on handy hints to new users in your area? We look forward to talking with you about the volunteering opportunities available at the project and how you can help hearing aid users reconnect with family, friends and the community.â€
Where possible, hours will be negotiable to suit the needs of volunteers and full training and expenses will be provided.
RNID Northern Ireland’s hearing aid project in Strabane is run in partnership with the Western Health and Social Care Trust, audiology services and social service teams. The project also receives funding from the Big Lottery.
Members of the public who would like more information about volunteering for the project can contact Maria Boyle on telephone 02871 374 619, textphone 02871 377 323, or e-mail maria.boyle@rnid.org.uk