Deafness Research UK gets a little help from its friends

25 March 2004

Deafness Research UK, the UK's medical charity for hearing impaired people, is inviting the public to join a new group to help safeguard the future of hearing research.

Everyone joining the charity's new League of Friends will be:

• Kept up-to-date about Deafness Research UK' work and with research progress into hearing disorders worldwide.
• Invited to special events organised by Deafness Research UK, including opportunities to meet scientists working at the cutting edge of hearing research.
• Given full access to the Deafness Research UK Information Service, which provides up-to-date information about hearing disorders.

"With one in seven people in the United Kingdom experiencing a hearing loss or impairment, and half the population likely to suffer some degree of hearing loss by the age of 60, it is vital that medical research into hearing disorders intensifies," says Vivienne Michael, Deafness Research UK Chief Executive.

"Ultimately Deafness Research UK is working towards a time when no-one has to live with an unwanted hearing impairment. However, we are currently unable to support many projects which our medical experts believe will lead to practical benefits for people with hearing disorders.

"By helping us support this work, our new Friends will be helping us eliminate the frustrations and isolation caused by the many forms of hearing disorder, including tinnitus, Ménière's disease, hearing loss and glue ear."

Because the charity wants its new group to be open to as many people as possible, it is allowing people to choose their own level of regular contribution, and there is no fixed donation. It anticipates that new Friends will come from a variety of backgrounds, including people personally affected by hearing disorders, parents of children with hearing problems, carers and professionals, through to those keen to keep up-to-date with the latest advances in hearing research.

"None of what we have achieved so far would have been possible without our supporters and we very much hope that this new group will give many more people the opportunity to make a difference to the future quality of life for hearing impaired people", says Ms Michael.

Since being founded in 1985, Deafness Research UK (The Hearing Research Trust) has secured many radical improvements in the prevention, diagnosis and the treatment of hearing difficulties.

For example, Deafness Research UK developed the pioneering Oto-Acoustic Emissions (OAE) test for newborns, enabling detection of inner-ear related hearing difficulties within hours of birth. About 50 per cent of newborns are now screened for hearing loss, with the UK-wide NHS Newborn Hearing Screening Programme set to be in place by 2005.

To join or find out more about the League of Friends, contact our League of Friends Co-ordinator, phone 020 7833 1733, or email .