SHOPS, businesses and other venues across Swindon are being encouraged to follow the lead of Great Western Hospital and install hearing loops.

The loops help people who use a hearing aid by using a wireless system to boost the reception.

GWH has installed 44 hearing loops, in reception, emergency departments and wards, and won praise from charity Hearing Link.

A hearing loop is a sound system producing a wireless signal that is picked up by NHS hearing aids set to the T (Telecoil) position. The loop overcomes distance and cuts out background noise to let hearing aid wearers hear with less distortion.

Dr David Reed, consultant audiological scientist and head of audiology services at GWH, said: “We know that hearing loops make coming into hospital so much easier for many of our patients and visitors.

“Many organisations have loops in place, but staff aren’t trained how to use them, so awareness and training is equally important.

“Hearing loops are so simple but so effective. They dramatically improve the experience of any service and make life much easier for people with hearing difficulties. I hope we inspire other local organisations and businesses to take up the mantle.”

The campaign Let’s Loop Swindon is calling on more organisations in the town to follow GWH’s lead and install loops.

Steve Aftelak, the group’s publicity officer, said: “We want to see banks, building societies, supermarkets and other groups follow the hospital’s lead and install these loops.

“Putting in loops really does make a difference to people’s lives and we’d encourage as many people as possible to get behind the scheme.”

Let’s Loop Swindon is a community project working in tandem with Rotary International, Hearing Link and a number of community partners.

Volunteers have been testing loop provisions in town pharmacies and supermarkets and are planning more.

Dr Reed said: “It’s so important that services are accessible to everyone, including those with hearing difficulties.

“We are therefore supporting Let’s Loop Swindon, which aims to raise awareness of hearing loops and encourage the use of them by local organisations and businesses in the town.”

Around 70 per cent of people aged over 70 and 40 per cent of people aged over 50 have some form of hearing impairment.

Without hearing loops many people struggle to converse in places with a large amount of background noise, resulting in confusion, alienation, embarrassment and poor service.

For more information email stephenaftelak@ntlworld.com or call 01793 536815.