THOUSANDS of people in Gloucestershire living with hearing loss can now benefit from a new try-before-you-buy listening aid.

They can also make the most of a new visual alert equipment room created at local deaf charity's headquarters in Barnwood, Gloucester.

The new facility is part of a major refurbishment at Gloucestershire Deaf Association in response to growing demand for its services.

It has been made possible thanks to funding from the Gloucestershire Environmental Trust (GET).

There is also a purpose-built space where people can try out a range of amplifying telephones, doorbell and telephone alerts, personal listeners to help with conversation, and TV listeners.

Trained and friendly experts are on hand to offer impartial advice to help you find the most suitable piece of equipment.

A recent survey carried out by GDA revealed that 73 percent of the deaf and hard of hearing people we asked, told us that they feel lonely as a result of their deafness.

GDA’s equipment and hearing aid technician, Emma Jenkins, said that people with hearing difficulties can often find themselves retreating from social interaction.

“People need to recognise the insidious and sometimes devastating effect deafness can have on a person’s mental and physical wellbeing," she said.

"Recent studies cite deafness as a major contributory to dementia.

"When we visit clients at home, we see how over time it eats away at their confidence, so eventually they retreat from any kind of social interaction, even with family and friends.

"It doesn’t have to be that way.

"Whether or not you wear hearing aids, GDA has listening aid equipment that can be life transforming.”

Appointments are now being taken to see one of GDA’s equipment technicians on a Monday from 2pm to 5pm and a Wednesday from 9am to 5pm.

Bookings can be made by calling 01452 372999 or email admin@gda.org.uk.