Louder than Words

News

Old name, new purpose: Action on Hearing Loss becomes RNID again

October 12, 2020

Hey, it’s the team at RNID here. We’ve recently gone back to our old, much-loved name after a decade as Action on Hearing Loss. We wanted to tell you why. https://youtu.be/q5xYVH45dDQ The return to the household name, which dates back to 1911, is part of our ambitious plans to reach more of the 1 in 5 people in the UK who are deaf or have hearing loss and the 1 in 8 who have tinnitus. The focus on the daily issues deaf...

Hearing loops

The benefits of a portable hearing loop

October 9, 2020

A portable hearing loop can be a lifeline for people who are deaf or have hearing loss. Many public places have hearing loop systems permanently installed but there are situations where hearing support is needed but not available. That’s where a portable hearing loop comes in. What is a portable hearing loop? It amplifies sound for people who use hearing aids so they can hear conversations more easily. A built-in microphone picks up the sound of the person speaking and transmits...

COVID-19 related

How to support staff with hearing loss during the COVID-19 pandemic

October 7, 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has created additional barriers for people who are deaf or have hearing loss. Many rely on facial expressions and lipreading to communicate, which is impossible with the widespread use of face masks. Protective screens designed to stop the spread of coronavirus often block sound and muffle speech. While extended working from home can be stressful and exhausting without the right support in place. We’ve put together some simple ways for employers to help staff with hearing loss...

Communication support

How to book a lipspeaker UK registered and qualified

October 5, 2020

RNID (formerly Action Hearing Loss) can supply a lipspeaker UK registered and qualified for all types of situation. If you’ve been asked to provide communication support for someone who lipreads but don’t know where to start, we can guide you through the process. Please get in touch to discuss your requirements. Why you can book with confidence 1) Get the right communication support No one understands hearing loss better than us. We know which questions to ask to ensure you book the...

Hearing loops

Why induction loop maintenance is vital for your business

October 2, 2020

As the UK’s leading charity for people with hearing loss, we have over 25 years’ experience of induction loop maintenance. Thousands of organisations trust our high-quality installation and aftercare services. We’re here to ensure your business stays fully accessible to hearing aid users. How to keep your loop system fit for purpose Installing a hearing support system is a great step towards make your business more welcoming to customers and staff with hearing loss. However, it’s essential that your loop system...

Case studies

Workplace assessment for Ed Rex

September 30, 2020

Marketing professional, Ed Rex, is profoundly deaf and was feeling stressed and isolated at work. He explains how a workplace assessment made a positive difference. It identified simple changes to break down barriers, and boost his wellbeing and performance. Struggling without support “Pardon? Can you send me an email to confirm please?” I put down the phone, inwardly cringing at the awkwardness of it all. Looking around the office, I could see my colleagues happily chatting on their phones, speaking to...

British Sign Language (BSL) training

How to learn sign language and attract more customers

September 28, 2020

An increasing number of businesses are looking into how to learn sign language. Making your products or services more accessible to people who are Deaf or have hearing loss will really help you stand out from the competition. British Sign Language (BSL) is often used instead of spoken language by the Deaf community. It’s also sometimes relied on by people with hearing loss who may use a mixture of spoken English and BSL. There are 12 million people in the...

Communication support

Best practice guidelines for video remote interpreting (VRI)

September 17, 2020

To support you, and help answer your questions about our video remote interpreting (VRI) service, we have produced these best practice guidelines. Registered, qualified BSL interpreters – book with confidence We only provide registered qualified British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters with a minimum of three years community experience. Interpreters must be registered with the National Registers of Communication Professionals working with Deaf and Deafblind People (NRCPD), or the Scottish Association of Sign Language Interpreters (SASLI). How to decide if remote interpreting is...

Communication support

Video remote interpreting: top 10 questions

September 17, 2020

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve introduced video remote interpreting (VRI) in addition to our face-to-face provision. Here’s a roundup of frequently asked questions about the service: 1. What type of situations can VRI be used for? We’ll be able to confirm whether VRI is suitable for the type of booking you’re requesting. There are some situations, including police bookings, which are not appropriate for remote interpreting. Please read our Best practice guidelines for video remote interpreting. 2. What booking details...

Hearing loops

8 reasons to install an induction loop system

September 14, 2020

For some organisations the main motivation for installing an induction loop system is to comply with equality legislation. Other companies want to attract more customers. Here are eight reasons why your business would benefit from an induction loop system: 1. Tap into a largely underserved market Not every organisation considers the needs of people with hearing aids. By installing an induction loop you’ll open up your business to over three million hearing aid users in the UK. 2. Improve access to your...

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