Hearing loss project struggles for survival after failing to find funding

A project helping people with hearing loss in Dundee is set to close unless vital funding can be found.

Hear to Help, run by Action on Hearing Loss Scotland, supports more than 900 people in the city but will close if new funding isn’t found.

The volunteer-run service helps hearing-aid users maintain their devices and provide education and information on other supportive devices such as amplified phones and TV listeners.

Most of the project’s funding has come from trusts and donations but this has come to an end – raising fears of imminent closure.

Delia Henry, director of Action on Hearing Loss Scotland, said: “Our Hear to Help service users will be devastated if our drop-in sessions in Dundee are closed.

“We fear that, without being able to access local support, many people with hearing loss won’t persevere with their hearing aids – which can take time to get used to – and will struggle to follow conversations with friends and family.”

Some £17,000 is needed to prevent the closure with bosses pleading with Dundee Health and Social Care Partnership for help.

North East MSP Jenny Marra who has supported the charity in the past, said: “At a time when needless journeys to hospital are being reduced, I’m very concerned about how the pending closure of Hear to Help’s community drop-ins in Dundee will affect particularly older people who have hearing loss and mobility difficulties.

“The Hear to Help volunteers offer a convenient local service which makes it much easier for people to get the help they need to manage hearing loss in their everyday lives.

“I urge Dundee Health and Social Care Partnership to make every effort to provide funding to save this cost-effective community service from closure.”