Mark Garnier - You can make a difference.

Dear Mr Garnier,

Open Letter:  You can help make a difference.

How is your hearing?   “I am a -earing aid wearer wi-- mild to moderate, -igh -re-uen-y -earing lo--.  I -ave worn di-ital N-- -earing aid- -or --e la-- eight year-.  To -ay --at --ey -ave tran--ormed my li-e i- no e-aggeration.”  

This is what someone with ‘mild’ hearing loss might hear. Those with moderate or severe hearing loss will hear a more redacted version making that very short extract from my ‘Making Sense of Speech’ document even more difficult to understand.  The full version can be found here: https://bliss2hear.blogspot.co.uk/2017/01/making-sense-of-speech.html

I am one of around 11 million people in the UK who has a hearing loss.  (1 in 6 of the population)  

• This figure is projected to rise to 15.6 million in 2035.  (1 in 5)  
• The problem is exacerbated because we are an ageing population and as we age hearing deteriorates.
• Untreated hearing loss can lead to isolation and depression.  
• There is a link between hearing loss and the development of dementia.  
• I wear two digital hearing aids and have campaigned against proposed cuts in services both in Worcestershire and other CCG areas in the country.  
• My hearing aids have transformed my life.  
• For many reasons, 60% of those who could benefit from hearing aids don’t have them.  
• Ideally we need to find a way of curing - or better still - preventing hearing loss.

Action on Hearing loss - for which I am a volunteer - is the largest charity for people with hearing loss in the UK.   https://www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk/about-us/  

• It is generous in providing grants to help fund hearing loss related research projects. https://www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk/how-we-help/technology-and-research/  
• Sadly, less than 1% of UK government and charity research expenditure is spent on hearing.   
• This seems to be  a derisory sum when 16.6’% of the population have some form of hearing problem.

How can you help?  

• We need more government money so that British Scientists can fulfil their research potential.   
• Your support for increased government funding for UK Scientific Research, particularly hearing loss research, is vital.
• Please attend the debate on deafness related issues organised by Jim Fitzpatrick MP in Westminster Hall on 30th November 1.30pm - 4.30pm.
• A brief for this debate can be accessed by emailing info@deafcouncil.org.uk

Thank you for reading this email.  I look forward to your response.

Yours sincerely,

Kathleen Hill

Action on Hearing Loss National Volunteer Award - Passion in Action - Winner 2017

kathleenlhill@gmail.com   https://bliss2hear.blogspot.co.uk/   www.facebook.com/Bliss2Hear/

Twitter @kathleenlhill