Nicholas’ service update
Welcome to the first round-up of the year – well done to everyone who have made and stuck to their resolutions this month. So, with a few days to go here is January in review.
Helpdesk
We know that Christmas and the New Year can be tricky times for some people, so the Helpdesk automatic reply had an additional message to anyone contacting us at that time.
In all, we sent additional personalised support to signpost five people from Christmas Eve to 2nd January. The month then started in earnest and eight volunteers giving their support and advice within a total of 39 replies.
Feedback has included: “Many thanks for your reply and all the information you have supplied, all very much appreciated,” and “Hi Helpdesk Team Thank you so much for this valuable information. I really appreciate it and will definitely check out all the options.”
One enquirer wrote hoping to purchase a Hearing Dogs jacket for their pet. Obviously, that’s not an option, but it became clear that she wanted to alert people at a hotel to her hearing loss while she attended her husband at a nearby hospital.
We advised some of the deaf awareness products including door hangers and also to inform staff and complete a PEEP (personalised emergency evacuation plan). Her reply was thankfully well-received: “Dear Helpdesk, Thank you so much for your prompt and helpful reply. I am delighted to see the products that are available, and also for the advice to alert the Hotel to my disability, I am not sure that I would have made them as aware as I should have, especially as at night, I basically hear nothing , certainly not any sort of alarm. My husband is usually my ears in these situations, but as he will be in the Hospital, it will be very necessary for me to give them prior knowledge. Thank you again for your help. Sincerely, C.”
Helpful Hours
At the time of writing we haven’t held the Helpful Hour – Getting the most from your audiology appointment, which will be on 30 January 2025 14:00 – 15:00.
Do share the booking link on your networks and to your contacts Webinar 1: How to get the most from your audiology appointment – Hearing Link Services who might benefit from attending.
Huge thanks to Helen and Julia for taking the attendees through the first ‘Managing your healthcare with hearing loss’ webinar of the year.
Feedback continues to be highly positive, with almost equal appreciation of the segments.
LinkUp Support Groups
A welcome return to The Grange for our first session of 2025.
Sixteen people attended including six hearing partners. Goals shared by participants included:
- ‘How to be more confident and especially when out and about and with friends as I struggle in noisy situations’
- ‘Would like the chance to talk to others with hearing loss, share experiences and just find out anything that may be helpful’
- ‘Am struggling at work and thinking of retiring. But would like to find out any ideas that may help in the workplace. I already know a little about Access to work but would like to know about any tech or strategies’
- ‘I feel anxious all the time that I am missing conversation or sounds so want to know how to learn strategies to cope with this’
- ‘I struggle socially if I am with more than 1 person. I avoid all social situations but want to find out ways I can improve this.’
Huge thanks to the delivery team of Charles, May, Helen, Sue and Claire. Too soon for full feedback and photos, but here is the ‘one word’ shared by some on Sunday.
- Enlightening
- Hope
- Informative
- Very helpful
- Not only me
- Kindred sprits
- Helpful
- Learnt to set TV subtitles
- Inspiring
- Excited to use the new apps and technology
- Thank you for being so forthcoming.
- Loved the general sharing of everyone’s journey and experiences.
Teams
Teams continued to be a great source of information and exchanges in January after a quiet time over the festive period. Thanks to everyone who posted or reacted to the posts, or simply had a browse to see what’s what!
