Durham Deafened Support can offer valuable help and support by offering Community Support Groups including Lip Reading, Tinnitus Support and Events.
In anticipation of the return of our support groups, we have updated our Coronavirus Risk Assessment in accordance with Government guidelines on steps to reduce the possible transmission of Covid-19 and any future variant.
All tutors who undertake this group on behalf of Durham Deafened Support are trained by ATLA. Attendance at groups is by referral only, please contact the office, click here to contact us.
"Words cannot fully describe the difference that attending this group has made to my mother. An active, intelligent and educated lady, she was becoming increasingly isolated despite having family and friends.
This group has quite literally transformed her life, providing techniques for dealing with her hearing loss and also support, friendship and warm, caring companionship at the group sessions. It has helped us as a family to better communicate and we are extremely grateful for all it has done to improve our mothers quality of life.
A Big ‘Thank You’"
Tuesday10:30am to 12:30
Wednesday - 10:00am to 12 noon
Wednesday - 1:30PM to 3:30PM
Thursday - 10:30am to 12:30pm
Thursday 2:00PM to 4:00PM
Friday 9:45am to 11:45am
Friday 12:45PM to 2:45PM
Friday 1:30PM-3:30PM
Do you have a Cochlear Implant, require about the programme or just want to know more about the procedure.
If so DDS can help we offer regular cochlear implant friendship groups supported by Palantype. The date of the next Cochlear Implant Friendship Group will be announced shortly. Please contact DDS if you would like to attend
DDS have been acutely aware of the number of our members being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes.
Some of our members undertook a bespoke awareness session with Palantype facilitating communication, the pace was slower for people to lip-read and digest the information shown.
Being realistic the aim wasn’t around “ticking a box’ to say a person has attended a structured education session, but that deafened and hard of hearing people with type 2 diabetes receivedthe information they needed and felt they understood their condition and were able to manage their diabetes better. The course was as light as possible while still getting the message across regarding being responsible for our own health eg diet, fitness, and medication.
If you, or someone you know has a hearing loss and has Type 2 Diabetes contact us, this will enable us to keep you informed as to what is happening next
DDS are becoming acutely aware of the links between Mental Health & Hearing Loss.
This is a developing area of work, please watch this space for further details
If you are a DDS member and are unsure whether you are in receipt of your correct benefit entitlement or require assistance with forms etc, please get in touch.
We have staff available who are able to specifically help with Benefits
Last Tuesday of each month (excluding December)
1:30pm to 3:00pm
10AM to 11:30AM
Last Friday of each month with the exception of December
Last Monday of each month (excluding Bank Holidays and December)
1:00PM to 2:30PM
We hold 12 week BSL courses across County Durham and Darlington - watch this space for courses starting soon.
Priority for these courses is always given to people with hearing loss or who have family members who are BSL users but we do have spaces on most courses for those who are interested in learning. We have the following courses starting soon.
Starts Wednesday 8th March between 5:30PM to 7:30PM
Further details to be announced shortly