TH ISSUE

Autumn 2014 The magazine from Hearing for Deaf People £1.75 when sold

“ “This charity is doing such great work Real life Pauline Quirke on the Turns out importance of you can teach an our work old new tricks

Matchmaking The Hearing Dogs way

PLUS Tips for communicating AWAR ENESS with deaf people Find out how Doggy extras Brand-new coped when he went Kids Corner Deaf for the Day

Autumn 201422 | In this issue… 23

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Regulars 22 4 | A dog’s life Welcome! The latest news including: Autumn is upon us, so while the nights draw Hearing Dogs’ co-founder donates Photo: Paul Wilkinson in, it’s time to snuggle up on the sofa with pup; 50th issue facts; fundraising some inspiring stories in this – our 50th – updates and more issue of Favour. We’ve encountered many 10 | You and your dog heroic dogs over the years, Dog accessories and Sam and Daisy are no different. Meet them 24 | Get involved locally on page 20. Find out how our hearing dogs are Meet our pups and fundraise for us matched to their recipients on page 12, and see 26 | Get involved at work how John Barrowman managed when he went How companies give their support Deaf for the Day (page 18). Younger readers will 32 | Paws for coffee enjoy our Kids Corner on page 22, while we hope 32 Pauline Quirke chats with Favour our fundraising ideas will motivate you. After 34 | Ask the experts all that, put the kettle on and relax with Pauline Mark Edgar on hearing loss Quirke, our latest celebrity ambassador, and her dog Bailey. Enjoy the issue, and thank you for your continued support! Features Gill Lacey Editor 12 | The art of matchmaking Get behind our latest appeal Next issue Look out for 14 | By word of mouth Favour magazine the next issue Tips for communicating with deaf is named after in Spring 2015 Hearing Dogs’ very people and those with hearing loss first dog Favour. 16 | Grabbing the headlines Hearing Dogs for Deaf People Royal Patron Useful contact details Headlines from Favours of the past The Grange, Wycombe Road, HRH The Princess Royal (voice and minicom): Saunderton, Princes Risborough, Fundraising Buckinghamshire, HP27 9NS Registered charity in England and 01844 348148 18 | Deaf for the Day Wales no. 293358 and Scotland Volunteering John Barrowman experiences T 01844 348100 (voice & minicom) no. SC040486 F 01844 348101 01844 348100 how it feels to have hearing loss E [email protected] Member of UK Council on Deafness, Media enquiries www.hearingdogs.org.uk Assistance Dogs (UK), Assistance 01844 348137 20 | Real life Cas and Sam, Joe and Daisy Cover photo of Pauline Quirke by Dogs Europe and Assistance Dogs Paul Wilkinson International 28 | Volunteers in the spotlight Articles and features printed in Favour are not necessarily the views of the Charity but are the views expressed by the writers. Terrence and hearing dog We welcome your comments. Dottie’s special bond Advertisements Hearing Dogs for Deaf People cannot be liable to any person for loss or damage incurred or suffered as a result of his/her accepting or offering to accept goods or services contained in any advertisement reproduced in Favour. Readers should make appropriate enquiries before incurring any expense or contractual obligation. 30 | Legacy giving Produced by 90 Walcot Street, Bath, BA2 5BG. www.jppublishing.co.uk How you can help us in your will 3 www.hearingdogs.org.uk Autumn 2014 FAVOUR NewsA Views dog Updates ’ s We sniff life out the stories that matter to you…

at a meeting called the Human- Companion Animal Bond that I organised in 1980 for the British Small Animal Veterinary Association. Minutes before, Leo, with his finely tuned antennae for interesting people, had just met Babs Wright, then vice-president of the Royal National Institute for Deaf People. “‘Babs is interested in the hearing dogs that the American Humane Association in Colorado have just trained,’ he told me. Babs asked me what I thought Bean’s pup will become one of our about training dogs in the hearing dogs UK to act as ears for deaf people. And that’s the happy accident that led to Hearing Dogs for Deaf People. POWER “Babs, helped by her husband Paul, created the infrastructure – let’s call it Family circle the corporate identity. I found a training location, a trainer, Co-founder Dr Bruce Fogle is donating one a placement counsellor of his to become a hearing dog and enough money to keep our heads above water. A vet, Trevor Turner, gave BRUCE FOGLE SAYS: “One of I have had. Bean is a calm, us space at his kennels. my dog’s gorgeous pups is equable being from the A retired handler, joining Hearing Dogs. Bean’s healthiest of ancestors. Tony Blunt, was employed as litter of nine was intentional. Cast-iron bowels. Never even our trainer and Gill Lacey, I added 900 miles to my car’s the slightest itch. No history now Editor of Favour, joined odometer taking her on four in her family of the cancers us as our people person. successive days from London Goldens are prone to. And Money came from many to a sun-dappled field in she has great joints. sources, but especially from Gloucestershire to meet her “Her litter is the result of Pedigree Masterfoods. beau. Hearing Dogs for Deaf some planning: choosing “We want everyone People, on the other hand, the dad, blood-testing to associated with Hearing was more of an accident. Let know when Bean was about Dogs to feel part of an me explain. to release eggs, and extended family. That’s why “Bean is the fifth Golden arranging afternoon cover at my son Ben Fogle is involved, my wife Julia and my veterinary clinic so I could why Babs and Paul’s daughter high-tail it to Cheltenham. Faith Clark is chair and why “Hearing Dogs came into I’m happy that one of my “I’m happy that Bean’s being more by serendipity. I’d ‘dog-children’, Bean’s affable invited Leo Bustad, the pup, will contribute his affable pup will contribute to charismatic Dean of an enthusiasm to such a this wonderful organisation” American vet school, to speak wonderful organisation.” 4 FAVOUR Autumn 2014 www.hearingdogs.org.uk News

Naga tees off – with a little help APPEALS HUGE THANKS Thanks to everyone TH who has donated to one or more of our appeals in Favour, FACTS helping to raise more than £1 million. Thank you for your wonderful STAR SUPPORTER support. Here’s how you made a difference in just the last two years: • Esther Rantzen’s My Hole in one! Best Friend Appeal – foundation50 assessments £47,638 were completed on dogs BBC JOURNALIST Naga Munchetty celebrated • Jocelyn Tack and Bass’ in training between her new single-digit handicap of nine by More Than A Hearing competing in a charity golf day in aid of Hearing April and July Aid Appeal – £28,232 Dogs for Deaf People. • Sally Taylor’s Break the Naga is a huge dog lover and both her parents Soundbarrier Appeal use hearing aids, so she was thrilled to be asked to – £34,232 help raise funds for the Charity and show off her • Phil Biggs and Marsh’s impressive golfing skills at The Oxfordshire Golf Let Us In Appeal – £24,388 50 Club near Thame on 1 July. • Claire Jones’ Puppy puppies entered training “I’m very conscious of hearing loss since I spend at The Grange between Boom Appeal – so much time wearing an earpiece,” she said. £33,093 1 April and 30 June “I was delighted to be asked to support the charity golf day and completely fell in love with a gorgeous Cocker who helped me tee off! AWARDS I hope that this event will raise funds to help FIFTY Hearing Dogs train more clever little puppies to PRINCESS ROYAL A dog welfare change the lives of deaf people across the UK.” offi cer burns 50 calories The charity golf day, which was organised by TO ATTEND AWARDS vice captain Steve Smirthwaite for Club captain walking a dog for We are delighted to 15 minutes! Rob Daniels, raised over £24,000. announce that our Patron, HRH The Princess Royal, will attend our Hearing Dogs Awards on PUPPY BOOM 8 October, to be held at 8 Northumberland 50,000 Appeal pupdate Avenue, London. This Our 50,000th supporter event recognises some record was added in 1997 THANKS to an outstanding response of our remarkable from supporters, our Puppy Boom Appeal partnerships as well (featured in the last issue of Favour) far as the work of our exceeded its £23,000 target – achieving amazing volunteers. Tickets cost £100; £33,093 – to make a very significant there is a 10% discount 50th contribution towards training the 40-plus The 50th registered for a table of 10. A limited hearing dog was a black puppies born since the beginning of this number of tickets are Retriever cross named year. Thank you so much! available at a 25% Ben adopted from NCDL discount for hearing dog recipients and Brighton in 1987 Breeding volunteers. Contact scheme events@hearingdogs. supervisor org.uk; 01844 348139. Claire Jones with pup Our Royal 50 Patron Volunteer puppy socialiser Marje Pilkington has cared for over 50 hearing dog pups since 1991

5 www.hearingdogs.org.uk Autumn 2014 FAVOUR News

Victoria (left) and Hayley sign “happy to help”

VOLUNTEERING STARS CHARITY STAFF’S TOUR DE FORCE Hearing Dogs’ Volunteering Manager, Victoria Leedham, and Hayley Simpson, a dog trainer at our Beatrice Wright Centre in East Yorkshire, were volunteer Tour Makers for the Tour de France Grand Départ in Yorkshire in July. Could you care for one Victoria was a supervisor for Stage 1 of our trainee pups? in the Yorkshire Dales, and Hayley welcomed visitors at Stage 2 in York. “It was great to see volunteering PUPPY TRAINING from the other side!” says Victoria. Train a puppy, change TV STARS MOVES LIKE WAGGER Hearing Dogs for Deaf People a life, in Edinburgh featured on ITV’s home video WE RECENTLY LAUNCHED a new Regular training sessions along sing-a-long show Let Me puppy training area in Scotland, and with various trips and volunteer Entertain You in May. Our with Edinburgh now confirmed as get-togethers will make this an amazing staff and volunteers the location, are already taking enjoyable and exciting role for lip-synched to Moves Like applications from local dog lovers, sociable people with a keen interest Jagger by Maroon 5 at our trainers and owners. in . Buckinghamshire headquarters – with the help of our adorable Volunteers must be willing to take If you live in Edinburgh, drive and dogs, of course. Check out on one of our pups at around eight have direct access to a garden, www.hearingdogs.org.uk/ weeks of age, and care for them then we would love to hear from moves-like-jagger for up to 16 months while they you. Visit www.hearingdogs.org.uk/ progress through their training. scotlandpuppy for more information.

Follow these pups on their hearing Ros with her FUNDRAISING HEROINE dog journey telegram from The Queen 100 thank-yous! A CENTENARIAN used her 100th birthday to raise funds for Hearing Dogs. Mrs Ros Double kindly asked for donations to be made to Hearing Dogs for Deaf People instead of receiving gifts, and raised over £190. As well as receiving a telegram from The Queen, Ros celebrated with family and friends. Ros’ daughter, Sylvia Fancy, said : “We RADIO STARS partied – gently – for about five days!” FOLLOW A PUP Since her big birthday, Ros has BBC Radio 5 Live is following a another reason to celebrate. Sylvia litter of hearing dog puppies. There recently visited The Grange to be are two boys and two girls in the assessed with the young hearing dog litter. One of the boys will be named after BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast that she has been matched with. All presenter, Nicky Campbell. You too being well, the partnership will go can follow a pup by sponsoring a ahead this autumn. puppy from just £3 a month – find out more on page 24.

6 FAVOUR Autumn 2014 www.hearingdogs.org.uk Phil Biggs enjoys Assistance News Dog Day in Edinburgh Last Diary chance! dates

14 SEPTEMBER Hearing Dogs Late Summer Show At The Grange, Bucks DAY 11am–4pm WHO’S A CLEVER DOG? 8 OCTOBER In June, we celebrated the Hearing Dogs Awards contribution of our dogs at 8 Northumberland Assistance Dog Day in the Avenue, London beautiful Royal Botanic Garden, ONLINE Edinburgh, in association 28–29 NOVEMBER with Visit Scotland and other Crowdfunding appeal Christmas Fayre assistance dog charities. Meet Santa at Phil Biggs, our access and for a Pupmobile The Grange and inclusion manager, said: “It was visit our special a brilliant opportunity for people WE LAUNCHED our is unreliable, has left seasonal fair. to meet assistance dog users, first ever online people and dogs Friday 4–8pm and to learn about how these crowdfunding project stranded and spends Saturday 10am–3pm dogs are such an essential part at the end of July. more time in the garage of how we live our lives.” Crowdfunding is a way than on the road! SPRING 2015 of getting projects or The project was Great British ideas off the ground – initially launched for Dog Walk APPEAL thanks to the power and a limited period but Watch out for news LEGACY WILL backing of a crowd of readers may still have on our website, generous supporters. a chance to view our e-newsletter and in HELP DEAF Our aim is to raise appeal film and some the next Favour. CHILDREN £15,000 to fund a new, of the rewards on fully branded van for the offer if you make a A BBC film For details see: www. Charity – aka “the pledge by visiting showing Sam Russell and his hearingdogs.org.uk/ Pupmobile”! The vehicle www. crowdfunder.co.uk/ hearing dog, Ember, inspired a events or call Melanie we are trying to replace The-pup-mobile-appeal viewer to make a £50,000 legacy Tyrer, 01844 348113 pledge to Hearing Dogs. The kind donor also plans to make more donations in the future. “I’m in the DUAL-PURPOSE DOGS fortunate position of my father leaving me money and I have no children to leave it to,” says the Twice the support anonymous donor. “I plan to leave DEAFBLIND AWARENESS Week most of my money to charity, and (23-29 June) helped to raise awareness and saw Hearing Dogs on Children in understanding of deafblindness and the Need. I’ve had a hearing problem all my life, so I sympathise with deaf challenges that people with sight and people – especially children.” hearing loss face on a daily basis. It doesn’t have to be time- There are around 356,000 deafblind people consuming, complicated or in the UK. Over the past 10 years, we have expensive to leave a legacy to worked closely with The Guide Dogs for the charity. To make it even easier, Blind Association to train assistance dogs to we have teamed up with three help people with both sight and hearing loss. organisations who can help (see Angela Hassall was the first person in the UK page 30). to have a dual-trained guide and hearing dog. Her first assistance dog, Roddy, retired in 2011 and is currently enjoying life with Angela’s daughter, Sarah. Angela now has another dual-trained Labrador/Retriever cross called Mel, who helps her with everyday life. Hearing Dogs also works with other Assistance Dogs UK charities – such as Canine Partners and Dogs for the Disabled – to train dogs to help those with further . For more information on dual-purpose dogs, Angela Hassall with go to www.assistancedogs.org.uk dual-purpose dog Mel 7 www.hearingdogs.org.uk Autumn 2014 FAVOUR News Join the Staff spotlight conversation Check out our Name: Sarah O’Brien Role: Digital Marketing Assistant website and social media pages for What do you do at Hearing Dogs? I write for the website and blog, which regular updates I adore doing. I help manage the and plenty of cute Charity’s social media (it’s a great Sign up! excuse to look at puppy pics all day) doggy photos… Go to www.hearing and I will be helping with some of our dogs.org.uk/enews big upcoming campaigns. for our free newsletter!

What has been a highlight so far? There have been so many – and I have only been here seven months. Meeting puppy Cazzie was a definite highlight Head to our friendly because my fiancé and I sponsor her. Facebook page for the latest in fundraising news, doggy tips, What are you working on right now? caption competitions and more! The Let’s hear it campaign; it’s really exciting as we have some great new www.facebook.com/hearing.dogs stories to tell.

What is it like to work for @HearingDogs Hearing Dogs? Amazing – everyone has been so Meet Charlotte, friendly here. The job is really busy all our puppy the time but it’s never stressful. recruiter (and try not to Knowing the difference these clever get jealous of her job) dogs make to people’s lives just makes working here really special.

What do you like to do in your spare time? @VickyHearingDog My fiancé and I love taking our How amazing are one-year-old daughter for walks and watching her favourite film, Tangled. @HearingDogs supporters? Tea or coffee: 70-year-old Mike Tea – I’m obsessed with it! jumped from a plane Dogs or cats: to raise money for us. Like you have to ask! I have always been a huge dog lover. #whatcouldyoudo

Blogtastic If you are new to Hearing Dogs, you can find out more about how our dogs help deaf people on our blog at www.hearingdogs.org.uk/blog. You’ll also find lots more adorable hearing dogs to admire – check out our Cute Corner for 23 super-cute puppies with their favourite cuddly toy. If you like Cute Corner you can get it delivered straight to your inbox by signing up to our monthly e-newsletter (see above) – there’s lots of other great content, too.

8 FAVOUR Autumn 2014 www.hearingdogs.org.uk

Advertorial

ACCESSORIES Style your dog Daisy the road-tests some of the stylish dog accessories available on the high street at Hut

We asked Daisy to help us test out some fashionable and practical accessories for dogs – from bowls and toys to collars and coats, these designs will keep your dog safe and stylish. Check them out here and then use our money-off coupon towards a very special Christmas gift for your best friend!

Multi-spot dog bowl: £2.49–£9.49 1This bowl is from a range of dishwasher-proof stoneware bowls and matching polypropylene wipe- clean mats, catering to all breeds. Wag n Walk fashion green Our verdict: “Daisy says her pal Nia check collar and lead. Collars: can have these small bowls, but only 4£3.49–£5.49. Leads: £4.99–£5.99 after she has cleaned them!” New Wag n Walk collars and leads are made to very high standards using the best quality printed ribbon nylon. The range includes a selection of fantastic contemporary designs, and easily adjustable quick-release buckles mean the range caters for all popular sizes. “We love the twist on the more traditional green check design. All-weather reflective There’s also an ultra-modern, head- black and red turning, shiny cherry red design.” 3dog coat: £14.99–£19.99 This range of reflective collars, leads, harnesses, coats and safety lights are available in three fluorescent colours. They feature hi-visibility material with reflective strips to keep seen in Charlie Cat dog toy: £5.99 low-light conditions. Chewing stuff is great fun, but “Easy to fit and 2sometimes all a dog really wants adjust, this coat to do is cuddle. These appealing should help keep designs use assorted fabrics and loads you safe on All-weather quilted green of stuffing to create a great mouth those dark : £12.99–£16.99 feel. Dogs will love trying to find the evening 5This quilted dog coat has hidden squeak (however, this means walks.” a water-resistant outer fabric the toy may not be suitable for with a warm fleece lining. working hearing dogs). Charlie Cat is Adjustable Velcro fastenings also perfect for cuddle or chew time. allow quick and easy fitting. “Too late! Nia grabbed this cute toy “These stylish coats come in three before Daisy could get a look in!” sizes for a classic country look.” 10 FAVOUR Autumn 2014 www.hearingdogs.org.uk SPECIAL OFFER FOR FAVOUR READERS SAVE £3 WHEN YOU SPEND £30 AT

PET HUT OFFERS PET LOVERS A WIDE RANGE OF PET ACCESSORIES FOR DOGS AND OTHER FURRY FRIENDS AT GREAT LOW PRICES. Night bright LED safety SAVE £3 WHEN YOU SPEND £30 OR MORE ON jacket: £19.99–£29.99 6 Glow for it in a range of ANY PET PURCHASES MADE AT PET HUT IN ONE reflective collars, leads, harnesses, TRANSACTION BEFORE 30 NOVEMBER 2014. coats and safety lights. Available in three fluorescent colours. For dog lovers, Pet Hut off ers a great choice of toys, “This night bright LED jacket collars, leads and accessories, as well as famous will light the way for dog and owner, helping to keep you both brand wet and dry food and dog treats. You can buy safe in low light.” RAC-approved car travel crates and harnesses, and prepare for the darker nights with warm, refl ective dog coats and comfy, stylish dog beds. Pet Hut also has plenty to keep cats, rabbits, guinea pigs and hamsters occupied, plus fantastic value wild bird food. With over 80 stores nationwide, Pet Hut is the UK’s fastest growing pet retailer. To fi nd the location and opening hours of your nearest Luxury leather pink stitch collar and lead. Collar: £6.99–£12.99. Pet Hut store please visit: 7Lead: £12.99 Luxury leather range where quality materials and timeless design combine WWW.THEPET-HUT.CO.UK with a modern twist. Crafted from fine leather and suedette, with robust fittings, these collars and leads are embellished with neat details including £3 OFF hand-stitching in WHEN YOU SPEND £30 AT YOUR vibrant colours LOCAL PET HUT and decorative Simply cut out this voucher and buttons and present it at the till charms. “The eye- Email: catching pink CODE Postcode: stitching gives NEEDED this lovely collar One voucher per transaction. Offer ends 30 November 2014. - HDDP? the edge.” Not valid with any other offer. There is no cash alternative. Voucher value 0.001p. F50

Perfect Match Appeal

Suzette Mowl and her partner Kevin Tinkler have found their perfect match The art of in a Golden Labrador named Robyn

matchmakingWe meet trainer Caroline Ayres, who guides us through the gentle art of matching hearing dogs to their applicants

ur Perfect Match of the dog are also very important. to be calm and confi dent to handle Appeal this autumn A happy dog will work well, and that environments like these. hopes to raise funds makes for a long-lasting, effective “Some applicants use a wheelchair, to make many more partnership. For a perfect match to a walking stick or push a buggy – we great matches between happen, the training and applications need to know about this, too. We deaf people and hearing dogs. The teams need to use their expertise in fi nd out who they need to meet each O matching process is somewhat of an animal behaviour, their experience day – at work and socially – and how art and a science – with perhaps a little with deaf applicants and a sprinkling active they are. Are they always out bit of magic thrown in for luck, too! of gut feeling and intuition. and about, enjoying long walks, or The deaf applicant’s requirements Trainer Caroline Ayres explains do they prefer a quieter life at home? Paul Wilkinson Paul always come fi rst, but that a hearing dog needs to fi t Some applicants have boisterous the character with an applicant on many levels: young children, one has a partner

Photos: and needs “We start with what the person in a brass band that comes to rehearse does in their daily life and work from in the house; others have relatives there,” she explains. “We look at an who bring their own dogs. applicant’s lifestyle and the places “We need to know what other they visit. Do they travel on crowded animals they keep – cats can be a buses or trains, or mainly by car? particular issue. There are the less We have a recipient who works in obvious things, such as whether central London for example, the recipient does similar things and another in an open- each week or whether their routine plan offi ce in the middle of a is always changing. And, of course, shopping centre – dogs need we need to know what sounds are

“There must be chemistry – a spark between the two personalities” Matchmaker Caroline with 12 her demo dog, Robyn FAVOUR Spring 2014 www.hearingdogs.org.uk Appeal

Julie Smith and Keyne, Surrey Georgia Cullen Douglas Churchyard and and Casper Omega (Meg), Surrey Patrick Boys and Zen, Bedfordshire Perfect matches like these depend on your support DONATE important to them and if they need of space an applicant has To help create the dog to be able to fetch a relative in at home; the amount of another perfect the home or out and about.” exercise a dog needs; what match TEXT Every recipient needs a dog that it enjoys doing or playing helps them feel confi dent. Caroline with and how receptive it HDOG£5 to says: “Some applicants have a lot of is to training. Every dog is 70070 to experience with dogs. They may have an individual – I’ve worked donate £5 looked after or trained an animal in the last year or so with before but others may not. For some Gatsby, Skipper, Radley and many people a cheeky, fun-loving dog others – each one is different and all The Perfect will be just right, for others a quiet, have their strengths. cuddly type may be best and boosts “In the end though there is a lot Match appeal their confi dence. One applicant may of intuition involved in making a be very tactile and like to groom or successful partnership. There must We’re matching more hearing pet their dog – another less so. be chemistry between the applicant dogs with deaf people than ever “Obviously there are some and the dog – a spark between the before. With your help, we’ve practical things we take into account two personalities. That’s what helps made big investments in such as the dog’s size and the amount us make a perfect match.” recruiting volunteers, breeding puppies, training new trainers, meeting more applicants and much more. Next year we hope CLOSE-UP ON CAROLINE to make 140 new matches – that’s an exciting target, but we need Caroline went to college animals at the Blue Cross your help to make it happen. for two years to complete a before taking time out Through this appeal we’re National Diploma in Animal to travel. She then joined aiming to raise £17,000 to fund Management, and spent Hearing Dogs as a dog welfare 10 applicant assessments – the two years working with assistant, looking after the vital first step in creating a dogs and gaining valuable perfect match. Please give handling experience. whatever you can – even a small She worked closely with amount can make a difference. the trainers during this time, and joined the Display Team, training her own pet dog To donate you can: to meet the standards of Use the form that came a demonstration dog. She with this magazine studied part-time to gain a Go to www.hearingdogs.org/ Foundation Degree in Canine match Behaviour and Training before TEXT HDOG£5 to 70070 becoming a dog training to donate £5 Caroline has assistant for nine months been studying Thank you! dogs since before becoming a trainer. college 13 www.hearingdogs.org.uk Autumn 2014 FAVOUR Awareness By word of mouth With hearing loss in the UK on the rise, here are some top tips on how you can communicate better with those affected

ore than 10 million the person with hearing loss to wonder people in the UK have when the best time is to interrupt some form of hearing you to tell you they don’t know what loss – that’s one in you’re saying! They’d appreciate it six of the population. much more if your communication is Making sure face-to-face communication straightforward. People with hearing isM as effective as it can be is therefore loss use both visual and physical cues ever more important. For some, making to interpret the world around them. others aware of their hearing loss can So when you are communicating be embarrassing – or they just don’t with someone with hearing loss, it’s know how to tackle it. A hearing dog, important to make eye contact and get in its distinctive burgundy jacket, gets their attention when you’re speaking. around this issue with no explanation By making eye contact, you will be needed; they make this unseen able to use visual and physical cues to visible to all. It’s the ultimate icebreaker communicate clearly. To get someone’s for those with hearing loss. With or attention, it’s appropriate to tap them without a hearing dog we can all help lightly on the shoulder or arm. to communicate more effi ciently and Turn your face towards the person so effectively by following a few simple tips. they can easily see your lip movements (if they need to lipread) or just to make Be considerate sure your speaking is aimed in the right Always ask: even if someone’s wearing direction. Make sure you’re well lit (for a hearing aid, fi nd out if they need to example, a window behind you will turn lipread you. Don’t feel awkward about you into a silhouette). Noisy and crowded asking; it’s much more embarrassing for areas can make communicating with a

If you have hearing loss… Tips for good communication

BE OPEN Tell the person you’re speaking says, just ask them to repeat it, or explain to that you have hearing loss. it in a different way. ASK PEOPLE to get your attention KEEP CALM If you get anxious, you before they start talking to you. might fi nd it harder to follow what’s GET A BETTER VIEW Stand a being said. reasonable distance from the person so PLAY TO YOUR STRENGTHS If your you can see their face and lips. Gestures hearing is better in one ear, turn that side and facial expressions will help you towards the person speaking to you. understand what they’re saying. LEARN TO LIPREAD Everyone does it a DON’T BE AFRAID to ask people to slow bit, especially in noisy places. down and speak more clearly if necessary. BE KIND TO YOURSELF! No one hears IF YOU DON’T CATCH what someone correctly all the time. 14 FAVOUR Autumn 2014 www.hearingdogs.org.uk Awareness

DID YOU KNOW? There are over 380 lipreading person with hearing loss more diffi cult. If you’re classes in in a public space, such as a the UK LIPREADING BASICS restaurant, try to sit in a quiet area of the room. By avoiding Here are some tips to help those noisy places, your voice and other who lipread understand you better communication tools won’t be drowned out by other sounds and distractions. For many people with Consonant shapes hearing loss, lipreading (p, f, s, sh) are: Communicate effectively is a vital communication High frequency sounds Speak clearly – not too slowly but not skill. Lipreading is the Hard to hear too fast – and use normal lip movements, ability to recognise lip Easy to see facial expressions and gestures. shapes and patterns, and Make sure what you’re saying is being to use context to fill gaps Vowel shapes understood, and if someone doesn’t in conversation in order to (a, e, i, o, u) are: understand, try saying it in a different maximise communication. Low frequency sounds Easy to hear Lipreading involves: Hard to see “Make eye contact, Lipreading shapes Hearing some sounds Things to remember and get their Recognising and Lipreading is tricky if the interpreting facial speaker isn’t face-on attention when expression, body Lipreaders cannot you’re speaking” language and gesture. lipread in the dark “Putting two and two You need reasonably together” and guessing good eyesight to lipread way. Never brush it off with “never mind” words you can neither Lipreading is difficult or “it doesn’t matter”. lipread or hear by unless you are listening to Use visual and verbal cues. By staying using context and your first language animated while you speak, you will be common sense. Not everyone is able to get your message across clearly. lipreadable! A person with hearing loss can respond You’ll be surprised how Some lip-shapes look to your facial cues, and may be able to many words look the alike, such as “f” and “v” read your lips. Keep your voice down: it’s same on the lips. They When two words look the uncomfortable for a hearing aid user if make use of similar lip same, you can often tell the you shout; it also looks aggressive, and shapes and, even for an right one from the context. can be embarrassing for all concerned, experienced lipreader, it’s especially in public. Use plain language impossible to get every Try our lipreading game – and don’t waffl e! word. Many lipreaders to find out what the welcome gestures, signs celebrities are saying at For more information about or other clues to help www.hearingdogs.org. communicating with people follow conversations. uk/lipreading-quiz with hearing loss, contact

Source: Action on Hearing Loss Action Source: www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk 15 www.hearingdogs.org.uk Autumn 2014 FAVOUR Favour’s 50th issue

A B C D E

F G H I J

Grabbing the TH ISSUE HEADLINES We’re celebrating the 50th issue of Favour with news headlines and stories from the past 32 years

A ISSUE 2 1984 D ISSUE 6 1988–1989 G ISSUE 11 1993–1994 The opening of our Chinnor Training Northern Irish and Scottish recipients Spaniel pup Jess, the 200th hearing Centre was attended by our first eight got their first hearing dogs; the children dog, featured on the cover; a property in hearing dogs – all were unwanted or rescue of Claremont County Primary School in Cliffe, near Selby, North Yorkshire, was dogs; fundraiser Flax, the only dog in the Tunbridge Wells, Kent, raised £3,584. purchased with the aim of developing the UK with a bank account, presented us with site as a northern-based satellite centre. a cheque for £1,800. E ISSUE 8 1990–1991 Favour magazine got a new look; 100th H ISSUE 13 1995–1996 B ISSUE 3 1985 hearing dog Spring was our cover star; Favour got a refreshed look; GMTV chose Hearing Dogs relaunched its annual hearing dogs were issued with yellow coats Hearing Dogs as one of three charities to publication as Favour; a children’s book to make them easy to identify; HM The benefit from its first Get Up & Give Appeal was published by Linda Yeatman about a Queen visited the Hearing Dogs stand at and donated £90,924; the Beatrice Wright hearing dog named Buttons; hearing dog an event in Windsor Great Park. Centre in Cliffe was opened by HRH The Skipper was presented with the Heineken Princess Royal; Popeye, the 300th hearing Christmas Award. F ISSUE 10 1992–1993 dog, was partnered with Paul Bullock; Favour the dog featured on the cover as he Hearing Dogs opened its first charity C ISSUE 4 1986–1987 retired after 10 years’ service; Hearing Dogs’ shop, Wags to Riches, in Oxfordshire. Hearing Dogs became a registered charity first national raffle raised over £70,000 and purchased its first property, moving towards a second training centre to be I ISSUE 15 APRIL 1997 from Chinnor to Lewknor, Oxfordshire; located in the north of England; Hearing Favour became a biannual publication; Sounds Like Skipper, by recipient Kerena Dogs had 24 groups of volunteers (or hearing dog Scampi launched a Pets at Marchant, was published. fundraising branches) around the UK. Home and Pedigree Petfoods fundraising

16 FAVOUR Autumn 2014 www.hearingdogs.org.uk Favour’s 50th issue

K L M N O

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Did you know? Favour magazine is named after Hearing Dogs’ very first an appeal to celebrate Hearing dog. When picked to pioneer Dogs’ 20th anniversary in 2002; the work of Hearing Dogs, Favour was a one-year-old hearing dog Sapphire became stray selected from rescue our 700th hearing dog. kennels in Berkshire – and what an excellent choice M ISSUE 25 he proved to be! SPRING–SUMMER 2002 Hearing Dogs celebrated 20 years and was rebranded; our livery changed to burgundy. promotion to raise over £87,000; a study looking at the social and psychological N ISSUE 39 benefits of hearing dogs was published; SPRING–SUMMER 2009 Hearing Dogs’ first website went live. A child partnership – Evie Crook and Q ISSUE 44 AUTUMN 2011 Gem – featured on the cover for the Our new logo and current branding was J ISSUE 18 AUTUMN–WINTER 1998 first time; the first dog graduated showcased in Favour; Rula Lenska talked Favour’s style was refreshed; TV vet from our newly located Beatrice about her own hearing loss; Pam St Mark Evans featured on the cover; work Wright Centre in Bielby, East Yorkshire; Clement launched the Pawsprint Appeal. started on a puppy socialising block at our Paws for Coffee fundraising The Grange; Hearing Dogs launched a initiative was launched. R ISSUE 45 SPRING 2012 regular giving scheme through GAYE Hearing Dogs celebrated 30 years with (Give As You Earn) payroll giving. O ISSUE 41 SPRING–SUMMER 2010 a special anniversary issue of Favour; Child partnership Elizabeth Pople and Esther Rantzen and young James K ISSUE 21 SPRING–SUMMER 2000 dog Russ starred on the cover; Glen Tallet Cheung and his hearing dog Kurt Cover star and hearing dog Jodie made from Sittingbourne, Kent, was the first featured on the cover and launched history as the first dog to travel through recipient of a dual assistance dog, trained the My Best Friend Appeal. the Channel Tunnel; Border Chloe by Hearing Dogs and Canine Partners. became the 600th hearing dog; Hearing S ISSUE 48 AUTUMN 2013 Dogs had 65 fundraising branches and P ISSUE 42 AUTUMN 2010 In a special access issue, Favour launched its first schools pack. Favour magazine got a brand new look from published the news that all people James Pembroke Publishing; BBC Children with assistance dogs will carry an L ISSUE 24 AUTUMN–WINTER 2001 in Need awarded £47,050 to Hearing identification book; Pam St Clement Tony Blunt, Hearing Dogs’ director Dogs; the finalists of the 2010 Hearing went Deaf for the Day; we revisited James general and a founder member, was made Dogs Awards showed the variety of breeds Cheung and hearing dog Kurt as James MBE; actress Pam St Clement launched that have changed deaf people’s lives. moved to secondary school.

17 www.hearingdogs.org.uk Autumn 2014 FAVOUR Celebrity ambassador SUPPORT Hearing Dogs for Deaf People by texting HDOG£5 to 70070 to donate £5, or log onto www.hearingdogs.org. John Barrowman: uk/jb for more info Deaf for the Day The star of stage and screen gave up his hearing temporarily and experienced some profound effects

ntertainer John Before he had Robyn, Barrowman has many John felt nervous crossing the street strings to his bow. He sings, dances, acts, presents, judges – and he’s been a proud supporter and Ecelebrity ambassador for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People since 2012. But how would he cope with losing his hearing? At fi rst he was keen to get started: “I wanted to understand the challenges that deaf people face and learn how a hearing dog can alleviate these diffi culties,” says John. “Nothing could have prepared me for how challenging the day would be…” An audiologist from Specsavers Hearing Centres created a special mould for John’s ears: “I felt the dramatic impact of the gels immediately,” he says. That day, John lost 60% of his hearing with the gels in – so, for example, he could only hear a general humming noise when people were speaking. “My agent turned the TV up to top volume while I was speaking and I didn’t even register the noise,” he says.

Exhausted and frustrated “I couldn’t believe just how diffi cult it was to do everyday things that we all vulnerable. Thankfully in the latter John says he learnt a great deal take for granted like getting a coffee, part of the day, John was partnered through his Deaf for the Day experience. grabbing a cab, meeting with my with Robyn, a fully trained “Going deaf for the day was one of the agent,” says John. chocolate Labrador hearing dog. most insightful yet exhausting days of He soon found himself exhausted “Robyn was wearing a hearing dog my life. I want the public to help more and frustrated, and was surprised jacket, so people immediately knew deaf people by donating funds to train at how soon he started to feel I was deaf,” says John. “She was a more of these wonderful dogs. withdrawn from people around him: great ice-breaker and encouraged “Hearing loss is on the rise and “It was easier to be on my own than me to talk to new people. Robyn these dogs change the lives of deaf to try to work out what others were was also my ears, alerting me when people – but the Charity relies solely saying. It was isolating,” he says. As my phone went off, and so on. She on donations to continue their work. someone who is used to being in gave me back the independence Please support Hearing Dogs and

Photos: Paul Wilkinson control of situations, John felt hugely that I felt I had lost earlier in the day.” make a donation today.”

18 FAVOUR Autumn 2014 www.hearingdogs.org.uk Celebrity ambassador

JOHN’S DEAF-FOR-THE-DAY DIARY

Sign Language. Robyn walks to the phone, waiting for me to follow her. She then nudges it. It’s ringing; I didn’t hear a thing!

15.00 Robyn nudges me Trouble with again but this time she lies the intercom down on the floor. It’s the signal for danger. The directly at me, and when smoke alarm has gone off, everyone’s talking among and we make a hasty exit. themselves I feel excluded. It’s like I’m invisible. 17.30 I finally have my ear 11.00 Walking along gels removed, and I could Edgware Road, I can’t hear 12.30 Lunch at a local fall asleep right now. I only the sound of busy traffic or coffee shop. “How much is experienced hearing loss footsteps behind me. I feel it?” I ask. The barista looks for the day; deaf people anxious crossing the road. down and mutters face these difficulties every I hail a cab and when I get something. I have no idea day of their lives… out, the driver says what her answer is as I something. It’s strange the can’t read her lips. things you miss when one of your senses is taken 13.00 After lunch, all I want away – like the tail end of a to do is have a nap. I’m conversation. I wonder used to busy schedules, Me and my BFF, Robyn what he said… late nights and early mornings. But hearing loss 11.30 I ring the intercom to makes you feel tired from 10.00 Mark, the audiologist, my agent’s office five times concentrating so much. My inserts special gel moulds as I can’t hear a response. spirits are lifted as soon as into my ears. It’s hard to The first thing the team I’m introduced to Robyn explain how sudden notice is that I’m speaking the chocolate Labrador! hearing loss affects you. really loudly. Gavin, my Straight away, I’m agent, keeps telling me that 14.00 Robyn comes lipreading everything. my phone is ringing. I feel bounding over and nudges like I’ve lost control. me on my leg with her nose. 10.30 I’m concentrating so I ask her, “What is it?” while hard on lipreading one 12.30 I just want to go to signing “Where” in British Hearing dogs are trained in person at a time, that if sleep. I can’t understand both voice command and British Sign Language someone else starts what people are saying speaking I can’t keep up. unless they’re looking

A meeting with my I couldn’t hear agent, and he says I’m anyone unless they talking really loudly were facing me

19 www.hearingdogs.org.uk Autumn 2014 FAVOUR Real life I can’t IMAGINE LIFE without Sam Cas’ life was turned upside down after hearing loss left her alone and isolated.“ But her hearing dog Sam gave her back her confi dence “ s a child, Cas Fowler had some hearing loss – and by her twenties “It’s hard her hearing had deteriorated so much that she was struggling in to put into every aspect of her daily life. But words her life has been transformed by amazing hearing dogA Sam. Here she tells their story: the bond “By 2007 my hearing loss was so severe that I was fi nding hearing day-to-day sounds diffi cult,” between she says. “One day, my step-daughter – who was ” a hearing only six at the time – ran in saying, ‘Cas, the smoke alarm is going off!’ It was a devastating dog and the wake-up call. A six-year-old was having to keep me safe in our own home because I couldn’t hear; person they my deafness was not only affecting me, but also those I loved. Around the same time, I was nearly between a hearing dog and the person they work with” run over by a car coming from behind me. If it work with, but I now go out whenever and hadn’t been for a very nice man rugby-tackling wherever I want or need to go. With Sam me to the ground, I’m not sure I’d still be here. by my side, I now have my confi dence back. I love the way he looks at me as if to say, ‘It’s Reality bites fi ne – I can hear. I will let you know what “The fi nal reality check was when I realised you need to know.’ I was the only person still shopping in an empty “Sam is a constant attraction for other Tesco superstore. Unbeknown to me, the fi re alarm people, who want to know about him and was going off and the store had been evacuated. It my life. I no longer need explain was then I knew I needed more support in my life. that I’m deaf as Sam – in his “By the time I applied for a hearing dog, I had burgundy coat – says it all, and become almost a recluse; only venturing out to then people take the time to go to work and back, and never going out of the communicate with me. With offi ce during the day. When I received my letter Sam I feel understood, to say I’d been matched with a hearing dog called safe and included. Sam, I experienced so many emotions – from I can’t imagine life utter relief to fear and excitement. without him.” “But Sam and I are absolutely perfect for each other. He alerts me to the alarm clock in the Sam has morning – otherwise I’d never get to work! He helped Cas emotionally also lets me know when the doorbell is ringing, as well as tells me when fi re alarms and smoke alarms are practically going off, when the cooker timer is ringing, and he comes to fetch me around the home when I’m needed by one of the family. “With Sam by my side, my life has been so different. It’s hard to put into words the bond 20 FAVOUR Autumn 2014 SUPPORT If you would like to help us train another hearing dog hero like Daisy, please visit our website www.hearingdogs.org.uk/ puppy and sponsor a hearing dog Daisy is puppy today part of the FAMILY Joe Flack was a painfully shy “little boy – until hearing dog Daisy came into his life...

efore eight-year-old Joe Flack uniform Joe received his hearing dog Daisy in always likes October 2012, he struggled in social to tell them situations – even around family and that she’s his friends. This was deeply upsetting hearing dog. for mum Charlotte: “Joe was very shy,” she says. “HeB had no confi dence and suffered from anxiety. An unbreakable bond Most events we went to would see Joe becoming “There has also been a remarkable change in Joe’s very anxious, and refusing to go in and mix confi dence when we visit the doctor, too, which is with people. It was diffi cult for us to keep trying amazing. Hospital appointments used to be very new things as we knew what reaction he’d have. stressful, as Joe wouldn’t let the doctor listen to He even struggled at family get-togethers and his heart or prod his chest and so on. But from friends’ birthday parties.” the fi rst appointment since Joe has had Daisy beside him, he has been content to lie still and Diffi cult days let the doctor examine him. Joe says Daisy is his Joe says “Joe chose not to mix with other children,” best friend. They love to have a cuddle on the sofa Daisy is his continues Charlotte. “On occasions we attended in the morning and play chase through the fi elds best friend local National Deaf Children’s Society meetings when we’re out for a walk. Daisy just loves to have with other deaf children and their families and fun with us, and even tries to join in if Joe and even then Joe wouldn’t play or mix with the I are having a tickle fi ght! We just love Daisy so other children – all of them joined in except much; she really is part of the family. for Joe, who just wanted to sit with me “A boy at school was picking on Joe one throughout the meeting. We’ve experienced day and told Joe that he was better than him, some upsetting episodes with Joe when he has and that Joe was rubbish at everything. Joe’s cried because he feels different and he wants to self-esteem was so low that he couldn’t think of be able to hear – but these episodes have anything that he might have been better at than happened less since we got Daisy. this boy (although there is plenty, of course!), “I fi rst learned about Hearing Dogs for Deaf so he just said, ‘Well, I’ve got a hearing dog!’. People after reading an article about a young Having Daisy clearly gave Joe enough deaf girl whose confi dence and sleeping had confi dence to deal with a situation that improved after having a hearing dog. At the would have crushed him before.” time, Joe was too young but I applied anyway and as soon as he was old enough we started the assessment process. “It’s hard to say why Joe’s confi dence and anxiety has improved with having Daisy. He has “There has been just changed. When Daisy fi rst started walking to school with Joe he became known for his hearing a remarkable dog. The children knew that they couldn’t ‘talk’ change in Joe’s to Daisy in her uniform. But whenever we meet anyone when we’re walking Daisy out of her confidence” W Contact us! Send all your funny captions, stories and pictures to: kidscorner@ kids hearingdogs.org.uk cornerYummy Cakes!

bake-off FIDO Our yummy doggy delights will FUNNIES sell like… well, hot cakes! Make them this weekend and add them to your fundraising bakes Why did the skint dog chase his Golden own tail? cupcakes He was trying to Contributed by Jane Boughton make ends meet! SERVINGS: Makes 12 What happened Ingredients How to… when the dog 150g white flour Preheat oven to 170°C Add the butter and 2 tbsp cornflour 1(fan oven) or 190°C 4oil and beat until went to the (conventional oven). Line mixed. Add the dry 1 tsp baking powder flea circus? a 12-cup bun tin with ingredients and milk in pinch salt paper or foil liners three batches, beating He stole the show! 165g golden well between additions. granulated sugar In a medium bowl, What happens 2 large eggs at room 2whisk the flour with Carefully pour the when it rains temperature the cornflour, baking 5batter into the lined powder and salt. tins, filling them about cats and dogs? 1 tsp pure vanilla two-thirds full. essence In a large bowl, You can step in a ! 50g unsalted butter, 3using a hand-held Bake the cupcakes in melted electric mixer (get an 6the centre of the 60ml/4 tbsp adult to help), beat the oven for 25 minutes until TOP DOG! vegetable oil sugar with the eggs and a toothpick inserted in vanilla essence at the centre comes out 125ml milk at room medium-high speed clean. Let the cupcakes temperature until smooth and cool slightly in the tin, thickened slightly, for then transfer them to a about 3 minutes. wire rack to cool (get an adult to help). Ice or top MAKE the cupcakes. Decorate these cakes using fondant icing and/or butter icing to create your own cute puppy faces. UnicedAHEAD cupcakes can Send us your photos and we’ll share the best ones be wrapped in plastic and stored at room on our Facebook and Twitter feeds. To make the temperature for up to two most of your baking, why not sell your tasty days, or frozen for up pupcakes to help raise funds for Hearing Dogs? to one month. “Does my head look Facebook caption big in this?” 22 competition! FAVOUR Autumn 2014 Ann Carter W

Design a dog coat N A DO IG G

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Nia’s dog coat D A

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I P T E winners!ARLIER IN the year we ran a competition to design a dog coat for E demonstration dog Nia as part of our 50th issue celebrations. Here are some of the winning designs, which have been made into coats for Nia to enjoy when off duty.

3–5 AGE GROUP

NAZEEFER TALUKDER, Swindon Judges’ comment: “We loved the colourful hearts on this design, as Nia chooses her it shows the dog favourites from the many is loved!” hundreds of entries

6–8 AGE GROUP 9–11 AGE GROUP

TYE WILLIS, NIKKI ASSADI, NICOLE HENRY, Abingdon Prep West Overton Glencairn Primary School Primary School Judges’ comment: Judges’ Judges’ comment: ”We love the comment: “What “We especially characters and wonderful detail like the VIP (Very expressions on the and humour – the Important Paws) faces – it’s such a unusual, striking message and bold design!” belt is great, too.” luminous colours.”

NO AGE GROUP 12+ AGE GROUP

AMBER STEEL, MARYAM ROSIE Glencairn EBRAHIM, BRADLEY, Primary School Middlesex 11th Judges’ Judges’ Ramsbottom comment: ”What comment: ”We (Holcombe) a great superman like Maryam’s Guides costume and idea for putting Judges’ message: playthings and comment: ‘Nothing is secret supplies ”It’s a busy design impossible’.” in pockets.” for a busy dog!”

Thanks to retired headteacher Amanda Trigg for helping Nia to judge the competition. This competition was run as part of the Let’s hear it pack, full of free educational resources, which can be found at blog.hearingdogs.org.uk/lets-hear-it 23 www.hearingdogs.org.uk Autumn 2014 FAVOUR Get involved Sponsorship Set up a puppy sponsorship, call 01844 348162 or see www.hearingdogs.org.uk/puppy

Could you sponsor a hearing dog pup like Berry and change a Puppy sponsorship deaf person’s life? Proud of our puppies Puppy sponsorship gives unique insight into the journey our pups take to become hearing dogs

ver the past “We send updates hearing dogs. This three years, to sponsors at year, Coco was regular givers each key stage of mated with a to the Hearing the pup’s training, Poodle and Dogs Puppy along with fun produced five OSponsorship scheme have stories of their black, and one enjoyed a privileged insight exploits. Sponsors apricot Cockerpoo into the lives of 24 puppies of feel close to their pups. Week by different breeds, as they grow puppy as they watch week, each pup is to become hearing dogs for them grow into a becoming more deaf adults and children. little character!” boisterous and playful as they Through regular updates Sponsors also find out about develop their own characters sponsors gain a behind-the- the work of the trainers and and skills. But one pup in scenes glimpse into their volunteers who have played a key particular caught Becky’s eye. puppy’s progress. Becky role in their pup’s development. She says: “Berry is absolutely Merry is one of two pups available Moorcroft, Hearing Dogs’ puppy After receiving their update on gorgeous and took so much for sponsorship sponsorship coordinator, says: puppy Oakley, one sponsor delight in playing with the toys wrote: “The pictures of Oakley and rolling around with his litter made me laugh out loud and mates. He also enjoyed being gave me a great deal of pleasure.” cuddled and I think he’ll be a Coco and her pups Sponsors with internet access real ‘people’ dog.” can also keep up to date via “The By supporting Berry as Puppy Pen”, a blog that describes he trains to be a hearing dog the often hilarious antics our – from early puppy classes pups get up to outside classes. right through to being partnered with a deaf Sponsor one of Coco’s litter person – Berry will get all the Coco, a chocolate-coloured stimulation he needs to channel Cocker Spaniel, was one of our his energy and enthusiasm in previous sponsor pups. Coco the right direction. excelled in training, proving she You can sponsor Berry (above) had all the qualities we look for or Merry (left) for yourself or in a hearing dog. This made as a gift by completing and Coco ideal to parent future returning the Puppy generations of hearing dogs. Sponsorship form enclosed. “The photos of my pup made In March last year, Coco gave Alternatively, you can set up birth to her first litter of five sponsorship online at www. me laugh out loud and gave puppies – all now well on their hearingdogs.org.uk/puppy or

me a great deal of pleasure” way to becoming working call Becky on 01844 348162. Photos: Berry – Sandra Pond-Jones; Merry – Paul Wilkinson

24 FAVOUR Autumn 2014 www.hearingdogs.org.uk Get involved Community To get involved, call 01844 348135 or email [email protected]

Lin and Dave Mark Flack was organised a among those successful who braved the Coffee in the Wolf Run Garden event

Sue Churchyard abseiled down the Spinnaker Tower

Volunteer puppy socialisers helped raise funds in East Anglia

Hearing dogs greeted The Mayor of Dudley fundraising cyclists as they was inspired by the arrived at The Grange work of our dogs

Fundraising FEEL

PleaseINSPIRED? do get in touch with one of our enthusiastic team whose contact Join the community details are listed below or call We couldn’t do what we do without the support of our 01844 348135. loyal community fundraising managers around the UK

OUR COMMUNITY FUNDRAISING EAST REGION water and mud! They all completed the managers each cover a large area of the RACHEL CLARKE TEL: 07769 901291 race and raised £1,462.40. UK and are supported by volunteers, A joint initiative between our Saffron groups, businesses and recipients of Walden Fundraising Branch and Saffron SOUTH WALES AND hearing dogs. Our community Walden volunteer puppy socialisers SOUTH WEST REGION fundraising team is responsible for helped raise more than £1,300 in just CFM VACANCY. Please call Gill Yeates, raising £1 million annually for Hearing one week of fundraising activities. head of community fundraising, Dogs – and we couldn’t do it without you. on 07824 453319 Here’s a sample of what our supporters MIDLANDS REGION Volunteers Lin Keitch and husband have been up to in their communities. VICKY RYAN TEL: 07824 329063 Dave organised their annual Coffee in @VickyHearingDog the Garden event on 12 July, raising a NORTH EAST REGION Two charities – including Hearing Dogs – fantastic £1,500. LUCY WARD TEL: 01759 322255 are in line for a boost after the outgoing @lucyhearingdogs Mayor of Dudley said his fundraising CAMBRIDGESHIRE AND Sarah-Jane Patrick, one of our Puppy total for the year had topped £50,000. SOUTH LINCOLNSHIRE Socialising Volunteers from Harrogate, GILL YEATES HEAD OF COMMUNITY and friend Victoria successfully NORTH WEST REGION FUNDRAISING TEL: 07824 453319 completed their Coast to Coast walk NICKY LITCHFIELD TEL: 01257 260988 Huntingdon Regional College staff in April, raising £3,066.50. @nickyhds Andrew Brett, Dean Constant and When Peter Murray said he wanted to Stuart Walker cycled 80 miles to The SOUTH EAST REGION collect one million stamps for us, the Grange, raising a fabulous £600. NICHOLAS ORPIN TEL: 07917 170122 response was amazing. Over 400,000 @nicholasorpin2 stamps flooded in, including rarities. SCOTLAND Carole Dyke, aged 70, finished her LYNDSAY CAMPBELL TEL: 07436 seventh marathon for Hearing Dogs in NORTHERN HOME COUNTIES 542544 @Lynshearingdogs April, raising £2,000. Her daughter, Sue LISA BISHOP TEL: 07769 90130 Mhairi Pollard – recipient of hearing Churchyard, recipient of hearing dog @LisaHearingDogs dog Gabby – from Bucksburn in Jas, abseiled down the Spinnaker Tower Staff from Isotrak did the 10k Wolf Run, Aberdeen, raised over £3,000 for the in Portsmouth to raise over £1,200. which involved running, obstacles, Charity by daring to do a skydive.

25 www.hearingdogs.org.uk Autumn 2014 FAVOUR Thank you! Get involved at work We cannot thank enough To get involved, call 01844 348163 or email [email protected] all our corporate supporters – old and new.

STAFF SUPPORTERS Puppy sponsors MCAFEE STAFF VOLUNTEER AT ROYAL CANIN THE GRANGE We were one of five charities selected by internet security firm McAfee for its Global Support NAMES A PUP Day in May. A team of 12 from McAfee’s head office spent a day WE’RE DELIGHTED to introduce Royal Echo is a lively fellow at The Grange volunteering in our gardens and grounds, Canin’s new hearing dog sponsor puppy improving the environment for Echo! Royal Canin launched an online ago, Royal Canin sponsored hearing dog our recipients. There was also competition to name its new sponsor Jazz, who now supports 11-year-old time to find out about how we puppy at Crufts in March this year. Over Oliver. Oliver’s father Jonathan says: “The care for our hearing dogs and see 2,000 votes were cast and Echo was pair always cause a stir whenever they’re our clever dogs at work. selected from a shortlist of 10 names. together and Jazz is wearing her The competition ran alongside a uniform. It’s been a real confidence national promotion in over 900 booster for Oliver and he’s no longer the independent retail stores and on shy little boy he was before Jazz came retailers’ websites. From the sale of skipping into his life.” every promotional pack of food in April, We wish Echo all the very best as he £1 was donated to Hearing Dogs to help progresses on his journey to become a fund the training and lifetime support of life-changing hearing dog. Echo and other pups. Over £21,000 was raised and we are extremely grateful to McAfee staff made some Royal Canin for its ongoing support. new canine friends Royal Canin has partnered Hearing Dogs for many years, supplying tailored kibble to our hearing dogs in training. Two years

FANCY DRESS FUN Fundraising HEARS TO CEVA! Staff at Ceva – a global A TALL veterinary health company producing pharmaceutical BRIGHT IDEA products – have recently STORY Request a completed 30 miles of the speaker – we beautiful Tarka Trail cycle route WHEN SIEMENS have a Jamie from – in fancy dress! We thought HEARING network of Siemens abseils you might like to see a photo INSTRUMENTS registered from the tower speakers in from the day. Ceva has already chose Hearing Dogs most raised more than £3,000 for as its Charity of the locations. Hearing Dogs and will be Year for 2014, little did it and all six successfully One of our working with us on further speakers realise the heady heights it completed their abseil. fundraising opportunities for would love to the rest of 2014. would reach. Siemens Hearing come to talk A valiant team of six Instruments is raising to your school, group completed a sponsored £10,000 to name a hearing or association abseil at Portsmouth’s dog puppy. It is well on about our Spinaker Tower on 25 May. its way, having run a series work. The iconic 170m tower is the of events including two Go to www. hearingdogs. tallest outside London. friends and family days at org.uk/ Nicholas Orpin, Community its offices in Frimley and speaker Fundraising Manager for the Manchester. Staff voted South East, was there to for the name Bertie for encourage the fundraisers, their black Spaniel puppy. Ceva staff take part in fancy We’ll keep you posted on dress fun his progress at www. siemens.co.uk/hearing 26 FAVOUR Autumn 2014 www.hearingdogs.org.uk Get involved at work

Fundraising Update BGC CHARITY DAY Going the extra mile Many thanks to BGC Partners for a £20,000 donation A FUNDRAISING EVENT to raise following the Charity Trading Hearing dog Dasher awareness of hearing loss, supported Day in September last year. The welcomed commuters by Chiltern Railways, has raised over annual event is held in memory £1,200 in one day. Chiltern Railways of their US colleagues lost on voted Hearing Dogs for Deaf People as 11 September 2001 at the its joint Charity of the Year for 2014 World Trade Centre. Celebrity and supported a Deaf for the Day presenter Kirstie Allsopp was event at selected stations along its on hand to help Hearing Dogs route on 15 July. answer the telephones on the Volunteers, trainers and hearing dogs trading floor at the Canary got up very early to promote awareness Wharf offices. We are thrilled of the problems associated with that we have been selected for hearing loss to early morning support again this year. commuters, many of whom donated on their journey into London. A team, including hearing dog Dasher, formed a welcoming committee at Marylebone station to further promote the Charity. Corporate relationship manager WAITROSE WONDERS Deborah Bourne says: “Many thanks to Your support for the online our volunteers, staff and dogs who Waitrose Community Matters generously gave their time; to everyone puppy socialiser for the Charity, scheme in spring resulted in a who stopped to say hello and donated; volunteered to go Deaf for the whopping £9,250 donation. and to Chiltern Railways staff for Day himself, to experience the Thank you to everyone who looking after us so well.” challenges that deaf people face placed an order, voted and Chiltern Railways’ managing director every day, and shared his experiences spread the word. This is an Rob Brighouse, who is also a volunteer on social media. excellent result and does much to raise the profile of our Charity and inform people about the BRIGHT IDEA impact of hearing loss. Donate a car: If you have an old car you want to get rid of, make a donation through Giveacar, a non-profit fundraising organisation that raises money for UK charities by scrapping and selling old cars. Go to our website for more details.

Star volunteer Winning hearts HARRIET VAN PELT (right) won the hearts HEARING DOGS AWARDS of her colleagues with talk of her work Thanks to our partners as a bed & breakfast volunteer at Hearing Specsavers Hearing Centres Dogs. After talking to members of our and Royal Canin for agreeing to Volunteering and Fundraising teams, sponsor categories at our she saw an opportunity to apply for a forthcoming Hearing Dogs company grant for British Sign Language Awards in London on (BSL) training for volunteers at The Harriet with hearing 8 October, with Patron HRH Grange in Princes Risborough. Premier dog puppy Henry The Princess Royal. Foods generously supported Harriet’s commitment with £2,000 to fund the training for 24 volunteers. If your company would like to offer similar grants, please contact Deborah at [email protected]

27 www.hearingdogs.org.uk Autumn 2014 FAVOUR Get involved Volunteering

VOLUNTEERING “Dottie’s my GOLD STARS soulmate” Behind the scenes there are people volunteering to foster the dogs that give birth to our amazing hearing dogs. Here’s the story of one dog, Dottie, whose tale has a surprising twist…

efore she retired Keynes, and learnt Poodle with a white as a brood bitch, about puppy flash down her chest. Cockapoo Dottie socialising. I’d VOLUNTEER What a fantastic gave birth to a new just been To get involved, call dog she has turned generation of hearing diagnosed with 01844 348100 or out to be. B dogs. Now Dottie has a new Ménière’s email volunteer@ – but equally important – job to disease, resulting hearingdogs.org.uk Ambassadors do. Recipient Terrence Dawes in sudden hearing “As well as being a tells their story… loss so I had some puppy socialiser, I also “It was quite by chance that empathy with the volunteered to be a my wife, Gwendoline, and I came Charity; we decided to speaker for Hearing Dogs. across the Hearing Dogs stand at volunteer. Soon after we I have been giving talks for nine a in Willen Lake, Milton registered, Jamie came into our years and have taken Dottie into lives. We fell in love with him schools, clubs and WI meetings. straight away, and had him for “She’s a superb ambassador for Dottie and Terrence about a year. Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, are best friends, who “Sadly we had to hand Jamie representing them on hundreds have been through so much together back for training at The Grange. of occasions while she was part We were heartbroken to say of the breeding scheme. She was goodbye, and asked for another an excellent mother, producing dog to socialise and fill the gap three litters: two litters of five he’d left in our lives. A few weeks puppies and one litter of four – later Hearing Dogs asked us to beautiful puppies who are truly consider fostering one of the a credit to her. All but three of Charity’s brood bitches. This Dottie’s pups are now working would mean fostering the bitch as assistance dogs. for a few years while she was “But Dottie’s story does not having puppies for the Charity, end there. In 2008 my hearing and then we could adopt her had become much worse and once she retired from breeding. I applied for my own hearing “We decided to give it a try, dog. I was accepted on the and were presented with understanding that, by having a gorgeous young dog a hearing dog, I’d need to forgo called Dottie – a black the opportunity of keeping Cocker Spaniel cross Dottie. In 2012 Dottie retired as

“I couldn’t possibly imagine life without Dottie. She is such a joy to be with”

www.hearingdogs.org.uk Get involved Volunteering To get involved, call 01844 348100 or email [email protected]

Dottie enjoying some downtime at the beach Gold-standard dogs We celebrate Favour’s gold issue with stories of two gorgeous dogs called Goldie!

GOLDIE THE DEMO DOG

GOLDIE WAS ONE of the last dogs the Charity selected from a rehoming centre for training. She was adopted by trainer Jo Otton a brood bitch, and was waiting to and is now part of the Charity’s be spayed when I received some demonstration team. Jo says: wonderful news. The Charity “Goldie is a very calm but sociable suggested that, rather than me dog and a lovely companion. In handing Dottie back and having a 2010, Goldie lost her left eye to a new dog, they’d like to try something grass seed, but still performs new: they wanted to see if they successfully as part of the demo GOLDIE SNAPSHOT could train Dottie as my hearing dog. team – she does occasionally bang Likes: Curling up on the I jumped at the chance – it would her nose on something but then she sofa with Jo; all her have been devastating to give gets an extra cuddle from me! friends at Hearing her up, and I had every confidence “Goldie helps socialise new Dogs; chasing small in her. We took Dottie to The puppies, working alongside trainers furry things Grange for a preliminary assessment to improve the confidence of trainee Dislikes: Loud bangs; to see if she would make the grade pups around other dogs. She helps cucumber – bearing in mind she was five and with applicant assessments, Aims for the future: a half years old. accompanies staff to the interviews Completed silver kennel and home assessments of new club good citizenship Old dog, new tricks volunteers, and travels all over the award a while ago; “For the next eight weeks Dottie was UK with me, promoting the Charity currently going for gold! at The Grange for intensive training, with all our demo friends.” learning how to alert me to sounds. It was so hard being without her. She took to it like a duck to water, GOLDIE THE PUPPY and soon I went to The Grange for training with her. I was so excited, I could hardly sleep! She passed with “AS GOLDIE IS such a good-looking flying colours. We then continued boy we can never go anywhere in a with her training at home, and twice rush,” says his volunteer socialiser, a week someone from Hearing Dogs Phil Sapwell. “We are stopped by came to support us. It was more a children, other dog owners, case of training me in what to do, as everyone – and he loves the fuss! Dottie was superb, and still is today. “Every weekday, when he “I am so grateful to the staff at collects the children from school, Hearing Dogs for their support over he walks into the playground the years, and their dedication in carrying a toy and sits waiting for getting Dottie to where she is today. the girls to come out. He gets lots GOLDIE SNAPSHOT I couldn’t possibly see life without of children saying hello or rubbing Likes: People (especially her; she is such a joy to have, and a his tummy – he loves it and it has children); playing and joy to be with. She is excellent with been great to see shy children chasing in the park; children and adults alike, and is a blossom with confidence as they paddling pools, sprinklers great fundraiser, excellent approach him. Goldie loves to Hates: The stairs – he ambassador and my soulmate. show children his tricks – roll over always asks to be carried Dottie will be seven years old in and high five! Even the Head (even at 18kg!) November, but to see her work Teacher comes out for a cuddle. Aims for the future: Goldie and play you’d think she’s two. “The Charity is close to our hearts has achieved his 1-star in We received our partnership – we love dogs and hearing dogs training and is working qualification in November last year, are so gifted. It’s great to be a towards his 2-star award. of which I am so proud.” part of the dog’s journey.” 29 www.hearingdogs.org.uk Autumn 2014 FAVOUR Legacy

TIMESupport Hearing Dogs inFOR your will, and you’ll ACTION be giving a very special gift

ifts in wills are very special, future, making sure family and friends are 2009. This leaves them and their family and they’re incredibly taken care of, and that a hard-earned in a vulnerable position. Let’s face it, important to Hearing Dogs estate is not taxed more than necessary. making a will is right up there with seeing for Deaf People. Half of all We can also make sure interests we have the dentist or clearing out the spare room hearing dogs matched with in our lifetimes will continue to be – you know you’ll feel better when it’s G deaf recipients this year will be paid for supported after our death. And, if we don’t done but never quite get around to it! So, by legacies. So without them, literally make a will, the courts decide where our at Hearing Dogs, we want to encourage half our work couldn’t happen: half the estate goes. So why don’t more of us you to act now. partnerships, half the training centres, half make a will? This autumn Hearing Dogs has joined the benefits to deaf people in the UK… Research in 2013 showed that 58% of forces with three great organisations to British people are a bit uncomfortable UK adults haven’t made a will, and the make it easy and cheap for our supporters discussing death. But making a will is a number of 35–54 year olds without a to make a will. All you need to do is decide very positive way of taking control of the will has risen from 64% to 68% since which is best for you.

MAKING A WILL: YOUR OPTIONS IN YOUR OWN HOME WITH A DEAF-AWARE/BSL SOLICITOR THE GOODWILL PARTNERSHIP JOSEPH FRASIER SOLICITORS is a leading law firm (England, Wales & Northern Ireland*) offering information and legal advice for deaf and If you want to write or renew your will, you can hard-of-hearing people. Their team is trained in deaf request a free, no-obligation home visit from one awareness and BSL frontline, and some are trained to of the partnership’s professional will counsellors. All BSL Levels 1 and 2. Based in Blackburn, Lancashire, the the wills they prepare are provided by their panel of firm can work face to face, by email, text phone or Skype solicitors who specialise in estate and probate law, and to help clients make their will. are regulated by the Law Society. Fees: £116 + VAT for a simple single will, or £134 + VAT Fees: A simple single will is £98 + VAT. A partner’s for mirror wills.** or family member’s will is Please contact Gemma Fielding on 01254 915616 or £96 + VAT. [email protected] stating you are a hearing dog Call 01482 638829 and recipient or a supporter quote HDOGWILLS to book of Hearing Dogs for your FREE home visit. Deaf People.

30 FAVOUR Autumn 2014 www.hearingdogs.org.uk Get involved Legacy LEGACY To get involved, call 01844 348151 or email [email protected]

To getPACK hold of a Hearing Dogs legacy pack call 01844 348151 or email legacies@hearing dogs.org.uk

Legacy Why we have left a legacy David and Sue Thomas on why they’re leaving a gift to TIME FOR ACTION Hearing Dogs in their will WHY PEOPLE ur become regular donors, After all this, it was involvement initially to support hearing therefore a natural DON’T MAKE with Hearing dog Gwen, and now we progression for us to include Dogs goes sponsor hearing dog Hearing Dogs in our wills so A WILL back quite puppy Bond. that at some time in the , Osome years. In the mid A few years ago my dad future (we are only in our I m not old enough 2000s our Rotary Club in died, leaving a small estate, late sixties, so hopefully in a , Hoddesdon sponsored a and so we decided to use very long time!) we can help I just haven t got dog for life. Unfortunately the balance to sponsor a to improve the lives of more round to it the lady’s first dog had to dog for life as a tribute. We people with impaired hearing. retire due to health asked that the dog be We like to help Hearing Dogs It costs too much problems so we decided named after my dad – Frank in any way we can, and this DO IT NOW! to sponsor a second dog – and be given to someone seemed to be a logical thing I don, for this lady. My wife, Sue in the East End of London to do after so many years of t know how and I then decided to where my dad had lived. supporting the Charity. , I m not rich enough

ONLINE USING YOUR OWN SOLICITOR (UK-wide) WHICH? ONLINE (England & Wales*) IF YOU HAVE A FAMILY or local solicitor, why not If you’d like to make your will online, this service give them a call now and arrange an appointment offers an easy, affordable option with the comfort of to discuss what’s involved. If as part of your knowing that you can call an expert if you have discussion you decide to leave a gift to Hearing any questions. Dogs just let them know and tell them our Fees: A discounted single will is £69 (save £20) and registered charity number: 293358 in England and a mirror will is £109 (save £40). Wales, or SC040486 in Scotland. Go to www.whichwills.com/hd and use the discount codes given Fees: Depends on the solicitor there when completing your Find a solicitor at: http://solicitors.lawsociety. online application. org.uk

*We are currently trying to make arrangements for Scottish recipients and supporters. Check our website for updates. Fees correct at time of going to press. **Trusts, larger estates or more complex wills may incur additional charges

31 www.hearingdogs.org.uk Autumn 2014 FAVOUR Celebrity ambassador

Paws forActress and comedian coffee… Pauline Quirke tells us about her support of Hearing Dogs, and her working relationship with her dog Bailey

re you a tea or end of her life. I’m deaf in my left ear, How did he get the role? coffee person? and partially deaf in my right. My niece He went down to London to meet the Both! I like was born with Pendred Syndrome, and casting agents. He was a natural. Yorkshire so she’s had hearing aids since she was Gold tea or a two, and she’s had bilateral cochlear Would you act with Bailey again? black coffee. implants since she was 11. We’re both in the new series of , which we finished filming How did you You’ve been an actress since you were in August. It’s great having Bailey with first become interested in Hearing eight years old. played a me on set. When the crew take Dogs For Deaf People? role that involved hearing loss, him off to film his scenes without me he I firstA found out about it when deafness or disability? doesn’t give me a backward glance, the Pauline Quirke Academy of Sharon has had hearing aids fitted in the but I feel like a part of me is missing Performing Arts in Penn raised new series of Birds of a Feather! until he comes back! money for Hearing Dogs. Have you always been a dog lover? Does Bailey come with you on holiday? Have you any experience of hearing I grew up in a council flat, so we weren’t He loves coming with us on our boat. loss yourself, or through family allowed a dog when I was a kid. Generally he doesn’t care where he is – and friends? as long as he’s got company he’s happy! My mum lost her hearing towards the You now have a beautiful chocolate Labrador called Bailey. What does he Following the revival of your role in mean to you? Birds of a Feather, what projects have I adore him. We all do – even people who you got coming up in the future? aren’t particularly doggy people tend to Apart from doing the press for fall in love with him! Broadchurch, I’m just having a nice relaxing time with my lovely family and, Do you have any “Waggy dog stories” of course, my gorgeous Bailey. to share? Has Bailey ever done anything heroic or remarkable? Afraid not – but I hope Bailey would LIPREAD PAULINE come to my aid if I needed him! How easy is it to lipread Pauline Quirke? It may be harder than you Last year you starred in the popular think! Go to www.hearingdogs. ITV drama Broadchurch alongside org.uk/lipreading-quiz and see Bailey. What was that like? if you can understand what she’s He was great company, and very saying. Learn more about well behaved! He very cleverly made lipreading and communication Pauline and Bailey friends with the caterers on the first tactics in our “By word of mouth” are a real partnership day – so he put on a little bit of weight feature on page 14. – at home and at work while we were filming! 32 FAVOUR Autumn 2014 www.hearingdogs.org.uk “Even people who aren’t particularly doggy tend to fall in love with Bailey!”

Pauline: Close-up Pauline Quirke discovered acting at the age of eight after attending after-school clubs. Her first professional role was in Dixon of Dock Green and her career evolved from there. Since then, Pauline has appeared in numerous TV programmes including Shine on Harvey Moon and David Copperfield and she was BAFTA-nominated for her portrayal of Olive Martin in The Sculptress. Pauline is most famous for her role as Sharon in Birds of a Feather and, more recently, and Broadchurch. In 2007 Pauline opened her first Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts. She has over 45 academies teaching more than 2,500 children aged 4-18 across the country. Common questions about hearing and hearing loss THIS ISSUE’S EXPERT Mark Edgar, Ask the RHAD, MSHAA, audiologist at Specsavers Hearing Centre experts Edgware Road What is the main Q preventable cause of deafness? Gardening expert Nigel Colborn There are various ways hearing can has his ears deteriorate. Exposure to loud noises examined before his hearing test – especially if it is prolonged – can cause permanent damage. Repeated exposure leads to cumulative hearing loss. This can be prevented through proper protection and awareness of the dangers and stress you can put your hearing under. Everyone’s hearing will deteriorate at some stage. Age-related damage to the cochlea, or presbycusis, is the single biggest reason for hearing loss.

What should I be doing to Q preserve my hearing? www.sekkidesphoto.comPhoto: Everyone’s hearing will deteriorate as they age, without exception. However, 50 you should be going for annual wax and dirt down further, creating the best route to preservation is being checks. If you are below 50, checks a hive of bacteria that could lead proactive about looking after your every two years are advisable. to further complications. hearing. Go for biannual hearing tests to keep on top of your hearing health; How can I clean my Why is it important to that way you will be able to place ears safely? wear a hearing aid if I’m yourself in the best position to address Q Q just a bit hard of hearing? any deterioration if necessary. The wax in your ears naturally does the You can also protect your hearing cleaning job for you, so the main thing Your hearing is a complicated and from noise-induced hearing loss in is ensuring your ear doesn’t become intricate system. It isn’t simply a case loud environments. Specially designed blocked with wax. There is specially of hearing sound; your brain has to earplugs are a must if your occupation designed oil available to put in your process these sounds and recognise means being consistently exposed ears to help clear wax build-ups. Put them. If you were to let your hearing to loud noises. Protection is also a few drops into your ear and lie loss become severe before acting, then advisable for loud social events, such down so that it can seep in, then leave your brain may forget how to process as music concerts, nightclubs, etc. to do its job for around 10–15 minutes. and recognise everyday sounds you Then turn over to let the oil escape previously took for granted. By leaving When and how from your ear. Do this regularly and it too late, you risk having a real often should I get my your ears will be kept clean. struggle acclimatising to your hearing Q hearing tested? As ever, the best cure is prevention. aid, and may not be able to cope at all. Wear protection when you are doing Hearing aids are not like glasses, Hearing loss is something that starts activity that puts your ears at risk of you will not be able to suddenly hear to come into effect in your forties and becoming dirty. as soon as you pop them on, you fi fties, and deteriorates year-on-year What you should not do in any have to get used to re-hearing noises as you age. Higher frequency sounds situation is put anything solid down that may have become forgotten. are normally the fi rst to go. your ear to clean it, such as a cotton By wearing hearing aids in the early We recommend everyone treats bud or your fi nger. This can risk stages of hearing loss, you are in a their hearing as a regular part of their perforation or damage to your better position to cope and get used healthcare routine. If you are over eardrum, and may in fact pack the to hearing with them. 34 FAVOUR Autumn 2014 www.hearingdogs.org.uk