Military veterans, whose hearing has been damaged in the service of their country, could be entitled to help from a Sunderland organisation.
Amplifon, at The Bridges, helps eligible ex-servicemen and women access support from a fund set up and managed by the Royal British Legion.
The Veterans Hearing Fund supplies financial support for hearing aids or hearing equipment for those whose requirements can not be met through statutory services such as the NHS.
And, in the run up to Remembrance Sunday, Amplifon is urging men and women whose hearing has been affected by their time in the Army, RAF or Royal Navy, to sign up for help with the three-step application process.
Applicants must be in receipt of a war pension, service medical records that show hearing loss, or existing hearing aids provided by the Ministry of Defence.
Amplifon’s audiologists will fill out the Veterans Hearing Fund (VHF) form and send it off along with any relevant medical records.
If the British Legion approves the application, the audiologist will then discuss the most appropriate hearing aids for the applicant and complete the VHF Final Stage Application, which if successful, will enable the veteran to be fitted with them.
“This Fund exists to benefit veterans and it’s entirely free of charge,” said branch manager Jennifer Young, “but it is, by necessity, a detailed and thorough application process, which is why we are here to help.
“We can steer applicants through each stage and, if successful, we can ensure they receive the most suitable, state of the art technology on the market to tackle their hearing loss – and superb aftercare.”
Access to the VHF is among a range of services Amplifon offers the wider public, including free hearing assessments and options to suit all budgets and requirements.
“Sunderland has a long and proud tradition of serving the Armed Forces,” said Sharon Appleby, Head of Business Operations at Sunderland BID, “and this service can make a very real difference to the quality of life of veterans of all ages.”
To make an appointment at Amplifon, at The Bridges, call 0191 5658663 or visit www.amplifon.com.
For information about other services available in Sunderland city centre visit www.sunderlandbid.co.uk.