How Awen Libraries’ partnership with RNID is saving NHS time

One in three people in the UK are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus. They already face daily barriers but when their hearing aids stop working, it can be even more frustrating for them. Many people report having to take multiple buses to drop their hearing aids off, then repeating the journey to collect them. RNID understands the isolation so many people face on a daily basis to get access to the support they need.

Thanks to funding from the National Lottery until March 2028, and hopefully beyond, RNID is holding drop-in clinics at Pyle, Pencoed, Maesteg and (soon) Porthcawl Libraries, for hearing aid maintenance and cleaning, battery replacements, hearing checks, information, advice and signposting. 113 people have attended the clinics in the first four months, avoiding long waits in their hospital’s audiology clinic.

Other benefits of having clinics in communities include: quicker and easier for people attend, especially if they rely on public transport; peer-to-peer support as some RNID volunteers are also hearing aid users; no appointments necessary and repeat visits encouraged. This means that the audiologists in hospitals have more free time for the complex repairs and hearing assessments, reducing waiting times for everyone when they need it. 

For more information about the clinics dates and times, phone:

Pyle Library – 01656 754850

Pencoed Library – 01656 754840

Maesteg Library – 01656 733269

Porthcawl Library – 01656 754845