Sensory Impairment

Volunteer Role Description

Volunteer role:

Hearing Aid Maintenance Volunteer

Goals:

To work with the Hearing Aid User Support Service (HAUSS) project to provide hearing aid maintenance and advice to NHS hearing aid users at planned support sessions and/or in their own homes, if required. *

General tasks:

·         Offer practical support to the service user teaching them how to optimise their NHS hearing aid and provide information on RNID services. 

·         Change / clean hearing aid tubing, ear moulds and filters and replace batteries

·         Reinforce instructions given at the time of fitting and issue of the hearing aid, including best listening conditions

·         Advise about other support services for hard of hearing people i.e. Sensory support, RNID projects e.g. befriending, tinnitus support

·         Complete relevant paperwork during Support Session and/or Home Visit

·         Attend peer support meetings to share experience and keep updated with project changes  and training updates

·         Refer enquiries to RNID staff if you do not know the answer

·         Keep all information given or discussed within the service confidential

·         Promote the work of RNID

Essential skills needed:

·         Ability to work with hearing aids (all training provided)

·         Good interpersonal and communication skills

·         Friendly, reliable and approachable manner

·         Ability to approach visitors in a confident and caring manner

·         Ability to listen to questions and to answer appropriately or signpost to RNID staff, as required

·         Happy to work with a wide range of people

·         Knowledge of or willingness to learn about issues affecting people confronting deafness, tinnitus or hearing loss

Desirable skills:

·         Hearing aid user or have a good understanding of the issues faced by people with a hearing loss

Training/Learning needed:

RNID offers full, on-going training for all volunteers including an online induction session. In addition there is further training on Hearing Aid Maintenance with input from a professional audiologist and other people working with people with hearing loss. Both of these training courses give the opportunity to achieve an OCN qualification. There will be on-going practical training with staff and other volunteers to build confidence and skills.

Time:

The level of commitment depends on the individual volunteer however we would ask for a minimum of 2 hours per month.

Location:

Positions will be offered within your local area.

Support and supervision:

Regular support will be given by your Volunteer Co-ordinator, peer volunteers, audiology and other related health professionals e.g. Sensory Support Team

Benefits of volunteering:

·         Training – learning new skills and gaining up-to-date knowledge of issues affecting deaf and hard of hearing people;

·         Experience – meeting new people in different situations, building new friendships with other RNID volunteers;

·         Fulfilment – knowing that your support will make a real difference to those who receive it and you will be helping to raise deaf awareness throughout society as a whole;

·         Expenses – all expenses incurred as a result of your volunteering will be reimbursed, according to the Action on Hearing Loss expenses policy;

·         Opportunity to try other volunteering roles within RNID.

Disclosure:

This role requires an Access NI check as you will be working with vulnerable adults.  

*Due to the current pandemic, any face to face volunteering activity will be strictly   in accordance with Government Policy and full PPE measures will be implemented.