A leading Hertfordshire hearing centre has joined a scheme run in conjunction with Help For Heroes to offer free, state-of-the art hearing instruments to veteran British Servicemen and women who have been discharged from the army due to damaged hearing in recent conflicts.
The Hearing Healthcare Practice Harpenden which is part of the
Association of Independent Hearing Healthcare Professionals (AIHHP), has teamed up with the charity and Phonak, the world’s leading manufacturer of hearing instruments, to help those who have suffered a hearing impairment in Britain’s current conflicts and have been discharged as a result.
Former troops who have served in recent conflicts and fit the
above criteria will be eligible to benefit from this scheme. As well as a choice of cutting edge hearing instruments, eligible veteran Servicemen and women will be given free instrument fitting and a series of follow up appointments* from members of AIHHP.
The 9,500 British troops currently stationed in Afghanistan are regularly exposed to the blast of guns or ‘medium’ explosions
measuring 140 decibels (dB) – far exceeding the noise level of 85 dB at which hearing damage can occur. As a result of this noise exposure, troops are at a high risk of suffering severe and even permanent hearing damage.
Head of Welfare at Help for Heroes, Kathy Knell MBE said: “The new partnership with Phonak and AIHHP is a very positive step which will help a lot of returning troops. Addressing hearing loss gives people the ability and confidence to hear clearly and improve their overall
quality of life.”
Robert Beiny, Director of Audiology at The Hearing Healthcare Practice in Harpenden said: “It is a privilege to have this opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of our brave Servicemen and women and we welcome them to our centre.”
For more information about the programme, please visit www.hearingadvisor.co.uk or www.aihhp.org