Online support for deaf and hard of hearing people

Deaf people and hard of hearing people can now get free information, guidance and support on-line with the launch of a new web site - www.talkhearing.com



Launched during National Deaf Awareness Week, 2nd to 8th May - Talk Hearing - provides a support and information service for people ñ family members and friends - whose lives are touched by deafness or a loss of hearing.

This unique web site not only offers useful information - including details of the many different forms of help available - it also puts deaf people and people with a hearing loss in touch with one another, encouraging a support network for those who understand what itís really like to live with hearing difficulties.

Talk Hearing has been created by Talkhealth, which runs a number of health web sites, with support from Auricle, an independent company specialising in supplying hearing services and advice to both the public and industry.

Commenting, Deborah Walsh, from Talkhealth said: ìPrior to developing the site, we were unaware of the number of people whose lives are touched by deafness and hearing
loss. The issues that deafness and hearing loss raise are in many ways similar to those for other conditions that Talkhealth represent, namely the need for education, support and to offer a voice for people. So thatís why we created Talk Hearing - a dedicated web site that anyone can access, 24-hours a day - to help others help themselves.î

Chris Powell, Director, from Auricle said: ìWe are delighted to be working with Talkhealth to create this on-line support service. We strongly believe that the
consequences of hearing loss is misunderstood and under appreciated by the public and often by the medical community, issues that we aim to address through this site.î

Talk Hearing has been designed to be easy to use and is packed with lots of useful information including feature articles written by specialists, a care page providing an A-Z of products and services available, useful links and a ëFind a Friendí page enabling people to correspond with each other - whether itís simply to pass on tips or to find
support and friendship by sharing experiences - on-line.