We are a specialised service concerned with the needs of deaf and hearing impaired people throughout the Wakefield Metropolitan District.

We employ people with direct or indirect experience of deafness and offer advice on equipment and other deaf related issues.

The specialised team attend many focus and steering groups and in most cases provide expert knowledge on what it’s like to live in a hearing world as a deaf person, thus contributing to the development of new services and reshaping existing services.

Technical Aids
A Technical Aid is a piece of equipment that can improve access to the home, independence and/or social well being and quality of life.

For example, a loop system may engage someone in a conversation or assist them to hear the television, thus improving the well being of an individual. A flashing doorbell may encourage someone to be independent and deters reliance on others, smoke alarm designed to meet the needs of people with hearing impairments could actually save lives.

How do I access the service?
If you are Deaf or hearing impaired and are experiencing difficulties associated with your deafness you are entitled to an assessment of needs (specialised assessment) you can either contact the society or social services (Social Care Direct) who will ask you some questions about how your deafness and or other disabilities effect your daily living. (This helps us to prioritise our work based on the information you give us).

When the referral is processed an appointment will then be made and an officer will discuss your needs and offer where possible, a solution to your difficulties. This may be a technical aid and or information. Or we may refer you or sign post you to another organisation that may be able to offer a solution if we can’t.

Technical aids can be loaned free of charge to an assessed need for as long as they are needed providing you meet the criteria.