Hearing Link

Hearing Link Services is part of Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, a UK-wide charitable organisation for adults with hearing loss, their family and friends. The head office is in Saunderton, Buckinghamshire. Its Royal Patron is The Princess Royal.

Hearing Link, part of Hearing Dogs for Deaf People
TypeCharitable organization
PurposeTo ensure that people living with hearing loss can find information, specialist services, and social contact, in order to live well with hearing loss.
Location
Area served
UK
ServicesHelpdesk, support groups, 1 to 1 volunteer support
Key people
Tracy Griffin (Chief Executive)
Websitewww.hearinglink.org
Formerly called
The British Association of the Hard of Hearing (BAHOH) and the LINK Centre for Deafened People

Activities

Hearing Link Services promotes and encourages peer support, so services are largely driven and delivered by people with personal experience of hearing loss:

  • Create links with and between adults who have acquired hearing loss.[1]
  • Provide impartial advice and information including through the Helpdesk, website, events and programmes.
  • Deliver specialist group programmes for adults with hearing loss and their families,.[2]
  • Provide advocacy for individuals and groups.
  • Reflect and champion the views and priorities of people with hearing loss. For example, informing NHS England, Department of Health, Public Health England and Clinical Commissioning Groups how to better support those with hearing loss.[3] Calling upon the Government to introduce a national hearing screening programme for everyone aged 65.[4] Setting up a campaign in 2013 which aims to improve hearing loops in public buildings.[5][6][7][8]
  • Facilitate contact between people with hearing loss and appropriate service providers. For example, giving them information about hearing aid services so they can make the right decisions.[9]
  • Build and maintain a network of informed volunteers, professionals, and relevant bodies.[10]
  • Commission research studies designed to enhance the quality of life of people with hearing loss.[11][12][13][14]

Hearing Link was formed in 2008 through the merger of two national organisations: Hearing Concern and the LINK Centre for Deafened People.[15]

Hearing Concern was originally called BAHOH – The British Association of the Hard of Hearing. It was renamed in the 1990s. It grew out of a number of informal gatherings that sprang up after the First World War when soldiers returned home deafened by gunfire.[15] Over the years it did a huge amount of work, all focused on promoting the need for more and better support to be available for hard of hearing adults. This includes encouraging hard of hearing groups to be established and pushing for subtitles on TV and deaf awareness at government level.

The LINK Centre for Deafened People, meanwhile, was set up in 1972 and focused on developing and delivering unique and specialised rehabilitation programmes for profoundly deafened adults and their families.[2] The approach was holistic and involved the wider health and circumstances of the individual, including their family.

For a short period after the merger the organisation was called Hearing Concern LINK. In January 2011, the organisation re-launched as Hearing Link.

In August 2017, Hearing Link merged with Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, another leading hearing loss charity.[16]

In 2022, Hearing Link evolved and rebranded as Hearing Link Services.[17]

References
  1. Brook, Jackie. "Powerful words for those with hearing loss". Care Industry News. Retrieved 30 May 2014.
  2. Sherbourne, Katarina; White, L; Fortnum, H (2002). "Intensive rehabilitation programmes for deafened men and women: an evaluation study". International Journal of Audiology. 41 (3): 195–201. doi:10.3109/14992020209077183. PMID 12033637.
  3. Greengross, Sally; Breckell, Paul; Brassington, William; Ormerod, Peter; Howe, Elspeth; Cooper, Rosie. "Commission on Hearing Loss Final Report". International Longevity Centre - UK. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  4. Lloyd, Stephen. "Hearing screening for life". Hearing screening for life. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  5. BBC News, Health. "Campaign to get hearing loops working". Retrieved 13 September 2013.
  6. Beckman, Adam. "President's Blog 8th October 2013". British Academy of Audiology. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
  7. Jenkins, Pauline. "Tourism office wants hearing loop system set up". Eastbourne Herald. Retrieved 16 February 2013.
  8. Taylor, Jessica. "Eastbourne could do better with hearing loops, says MP". Eastbourne Herald. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
  9. Gailey, Dr Lorraine. "More patient choice only works with more information". Health Service Journal. Retrieved 15 April 2014.
  10. Swinbourne, Charlie. "How a single volunteer for Hearing Link provides support for 100 deaf people". The Limping Chicken. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  11. Hallam, Richard; Ashton, P; Sherbourne, K; Gailey, L (2006). "Acquired profound hearing loss: mental health and other characteristics of a large sample". International Journal of Audiology. 45 (12): 715–723. doi:10.1080/14992020600957335. PMID 17132560.
  12. Hallam, Richard; Ashton, P; Sherbourne, K; Gailey, L (2008). "Persons with acquired profound hearing loss (APHL): how do they and their families adapt to the challenge?". Health (London). 12 (3): 369–88. doi:10.1177/1363459308090054.
  13. Hallam, Richard; Ashton, P; Sherbourne, K; Gailey, L; Corney, R (2007). "Coping, conversation tactics and marital interaction in persons with acquired profound hearing loss (APHL): Correlates of distress". Audiological Medicine. 5 (2): 103–111(9). doi:10.1080/16513860701223060.
  14. British Library, Unheard Voices. "Unheard Voices: interviews with deafened people". British Library. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
  15. Armstrong, Lorna (26 April 2022). "Introducing Hearing Link Services". Hearing Link Services. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
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