Intensive Rehabilitation Programmes for Deafened People
•What are intensive rehabilitation programmes for deafened people?
Our rehabilitation programmes, unique to Hearing Concern LINK, provide vital assistance to deafened men and women - people who have lost most or all of their hearing.
The aim is to help people adapt to their new circumstances, and equip them with skills and information to improve their quality of life.
•Are partners and family included?
People are encouraged to bring family members or a friend as the course is as much for them as it is for the person with the hearing loss. But it is perfectly possible to come alone if desired. There are usually about 12 or 14 people on each course.
We welcome children and include them as far as possible in the sessions; a Child Support Office takes care of the younger ones.
•What happens on the course?
The course covers lipreading, relaxation, tinnitus, employment, cochlear implants, equipment and many other topics.
Everybody including partners and relatives will be supported and helped to learn ways of coping. The emphasis is on communication, confidence and feeling positive about living with a severe or profound hearing loss.
Communication support is provided throughout so everyone can follow what is being said and can actively participate in all sessions.
•Where do programmes run?
Courses are residential and take place over a period of six days in different parts of the UK. The venues are carefully selected hotels ensuring that the environment is comfortable and relaxed.
Please contact us to find out where the courses will take place. In addition to these there will be two courses dedicated to people with NF2.
•Who pays?
We apply to the NHS for funds to cover the costs of the course (which also includes residential costs); we make all the arrangements.
Participants cover only their travel expenses.
•How do I apply?
If you would like to know more please contact us at or by letter/telephone/text/fax.
Or, you can download the application form and simply send this to us. Click on the pdf at the bottom of the page.
If you would like to meet someone to talk to about the programmes and about living with a severe or profound hearing loss we can put you in touch with one of our Outreach Volunteers. Click here to find out more.
Our rehabilitation programmes are often followed up by a short course six months or so after the rehabilitation course. Click here to find out more.
Please note that we will contact your doctor for medical details to support your application.
•Information for health and social care professionals and commissioners
Our programmes have been evaluated for benefits and the results published in the International Journal of Audiology (Sherbourne, K., White, L., and Fortnum, H. 2002. Intensive rehabilitation programmes for deafened men and women; an evaluation study. International Journal of Audiology, 41, 195-201).
In collaboration with the University of Greenwich, we have carried out research exploring the psychosocial effects of acquired profound hearing loss on adults and their families. To download our report, Hidden Lives, please click on the pdf at the bottom of the page.
To refer a patient or client, programme costs, copies of research papers, and all enquiries please contact us at or by letter/telephone/text/fax.
Vivienne Keightley from Derbyshire says ... I lost all my hearing overnight, possibly through a viral infection but I never found out the real cause. My hearing loss had a massive impact on me. I felt I was losing my confidence and the joys of living too. After struggling on for a while, I applied to go on the rehabilitation programme - taking my family with me.
Meeting others like myself was great and it was reassuring for my young daughters to learn they were not the only ones with a deaf mum. The friendly team were real experts, they understood what each individual needed and created a relaxing atmosphere and a great spirit amongst all the participants.
I came away with knowledge that has both enriched my life and restored my independence.
Jenny Knight, Programme Manager says … I became deafened in my 40’s so I know only too well the fears and frustrations of people who come on the programme. I’m also very aware of the effects hearing loss can have on partners, children and relatives. Everyone needs support.
Our courses provide a friendly and informal environment where people can share experiences with others in the same boat. We help to break down peoples’ isolation and build up their confidence, and we show them that despite the problems, there is a future after hearing loss.
