People in North Yorkshire living with hearing loss are being encouraged to try and restore their independence by seeking “vital” support from our sensory service.
Our sensory services provide specialist assessments and support to blind, deaf and deafblind people living in the county including rehabilitation programmes, mobility training, care assessments, information and support groups and advice on the use of equipment and aids.
According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), one in three adults in the UK are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus.
As part of Deaf Awareness Week 2025, which runs until Sunday, 11 May, we are ensuring every person in the county who lives with a form of sensory impairment can access the services and information that they have a right to by contacting officers who “do a lot of good work and are here to help those who need it”.
Executive member for health and adult services, Cllr Michael Harrison, said: “Hearing loss is the second most common disability in the UK. However, as an invisible disability, it so often goes unnoticed.
“Unassisted hearing loss can have a significant impact on older people, leading to social isolation, depression, reduced quality of life and loss of independence and mobility as well as possibly impacting on their safety.
“Our officers and teams are here to support people to live happily and independently within their own communities. Be it advice, demonstrating or providing equipment, they do a lot of good work and they’re here to help those who need it.”
Our technical officers for sensory services, Paul Senior and Angie Beckett, assess and offer one-to-one advice, information and life-changing support about equipment for people with hearing loss including fitting equipment such as hearing loops, smoke alarms and assistive listeners.
Paul is based at the resource centre at Harrogate Community House every Wednesday between 2pm and 4pm.
He said: “We welcome individuals or their family members with hearing loss who require equipment or demonstrations with doorbells, smoke alarms, baby monitors, amplified telephones, alarm clocks, telephone ringers and so on.
“We also demonstrate conversation aids, assistive headphones and loop systems to help you hear sound more clearly and better clarity if you use hearing aids.”
Over the years, the service has worked closely with the Harrogate Deaf Society supporting many people who struggle with visual and hearing impairments.
The chair of the Harrogate Deaf Society, Bob Tunnicliffe, said: “The council’s sensory service can provide a wealth of information and advice around community services and resources and anything that can improve your wellbeing and quality of life.
“They can also provide advice and information for people seeking financial aid so please do visit the resource centre.”
People can self-refer through the contact centre, or a referral can come via another person, such as a GP, an audiologist or a family or friend on their behalf.
The service can be contacted online or the customer contact centre on 0300 131 2131 and say “Hearing Loss” when prompted or by visiting the Resource Centre, 46-50 East Parade, Harrogate.