A Brief History of hi.SS
The Hearing Impaired Support Scheme (hi.SS) is a registered charity, which has been in existence since 1990 covering the North Bristol Area. Its aims are to provide advice, guidance and support for the hearing aid users in the community. Volunteers are trained by the Audiology Department at Southmead Hospital in many aspects of hearing impairment including medical aspects of hearing loss, psychological implications, practical management of hearing aids, communication tactics and knowledge of local and national organisations concerned with the hearing impaired. The volunteers, most of whom are experienced hearing aid users, encourage people coping with hearing aids for the first time, reinforcing the guidance given by Audiologists. They are also trained to provide practical help to those who are unable to visit the Audiology Department for minor hearing aid repairs. The scheme does not replace the service provided by North Bristol NHS Trust Audiology but enhances the support given. The scheme runs along guidlines formed by the voluntary organisation Hearing Link, along with other schemes running successfully throughout the country. hi.SS has a number of volunteers who liase with the Volunteer Co-ordinator at Southmead Hospital. Volunteer's expenses are paid from funds raised and donations to the charity. The scheme is unique to the area, it offers a wide range of support for the hearing impaired and has close links with Social Services and local Charities involved with sensory impairments. As of February 2009 this website was designed and uploaded to help promote the work hi.SS does and to recruit more volunteers. |