IN the second of our look at the work of out charity of the month the Warringon and District Society for Deaf People we look at the work it does with Warrington Borough Council.

IT is often the simple things which we take for granted that make the biggest difference for people coming to terms with hearing problems.

And Chris Wakefield, support officer for D/deaf services at Warrington Borough Council, knows exactly what people find is the hardest thing to adjust to.

The first thing people come to her for help trhough the centre's Environmental Aids Room (EAR) is for specialist telephones so they can still talk to friends and families.

That struggle to hear on the phone is one of the first notable problems for those coming to terms with hearing loss and one that the room will help people find a solution.

Chris said: "We are in the process of buying different telephones and then people who come along and compare with their hearing aids so they can test and find out the one that works best for them. So that way they don't have to buy them and then send them back.

"Every person's hearing loss is different."

The EAR room, whioch launched last year also houses a range of different aids for people in their homes from flashing doorbells to TV speakers.

"We do an assessment first to evaluate their needs," added Chris, who is on hand at the society's Wilson Patten Street base on Wednesdays. "On a Wednesday the club is open but it's open to anyone who has a hearing loss from profound to hard of hearing. They can come in for anything they wish. I always go into the club and pop in and out.

"They will come in with letters that have telephone calls needing to be made for them.

"We are here on a Wednesday afternoon but if they need a further visit we can make an appointment to come out.

"It gives people in the community confidence that we will be there to help out and we get to know people too.

"It's nice to know they trust you and will come to you with their problems."

To find out more about the support available from the centre visit wdsdp.co.uk or find it on Facebook by searching Warrington & District Society for Deaf People.