Local solicitor supports national charity in quest to combat deafness

March 14, 2011 - PRLog -- Oxley & Coward Solicitors LLP of Rotherham is supporting national charity Deafness Research UK by providing an educational grant to enable the country’s leading medical research charity to design and print vital information leaflets, providing much needed advice for the public on hearing loss.

The latest leaflet, ‘Helping You to Hear Better’ was launched this week at one of the charity’s Bionic Ear Shows at a primary school in Derby - and practice Partner Jayne Jackson and her colleague Paul Smith went along to see the finished article. They had the opportunity to see first hand the way the charity uses educational grants to support key communications activities and events, like free literature for the public and the Bionic Ear Show itself.  

“It was great to be invited along to see the leaflet launched and experience the Bionic Ear Show,” said Oxley & Coward Solicitors LLP Partner, Jayne Jackson. “The school made us very welcome and it was a very enjoyable day, while at the same time seeing for ourselves the amazing ways the charity uses its money. Oxley & Coward is proud to be playing its own small part in supporting the charity; this latest leaflet we have supported looks great, and should be a huge help to people coming to terms with deafness.”

Oxley and Coward’s Paul Smith, said: “I have personally seen first hand the effects of noise on workers’ lives and Oxley & Coward has successfully recovered millions of pounds worth of compensation for workers affected. We are naturally supportive of Deafness research UK’s work and we wish the charity every success with the leaflet launch and the remaining Bionic Ear Shows." Oxley & Coward chose to support Deafness Research UK after seeing the results of noise-induced hearing loss for themselves, having helped many local clients suffering from deafness related conditions via its Industrial Disease compensation service, which has successfully won compensation for thousands clients in South Yorkshire over the years.

Oxley & Coward and Deafness Research UK hope that with the twin approach of warning young people of the danger loud noise poses to their hearing health while at the same time providing help and advice for those already experiencing problems that the best of all worlds can be achieved.
                  
The Bionic Ear Show from Deafness Research UK tours schools, adult community groups and events throughout the UK, and in an entertaining and informative way, aims to educate young and old alike about the risks to their hearing from loud noise. Presenter Tobin May employs a variety of techniques, interactive activities and fun facts to get the message across, including the use of “the world’s largest ear and ‘guess that tune’, enabling the audience to hear for themselves how music sounds to those with cochlear implants, so called ‘bionic ears’. The leaflet supported by Oxley & Coward is another important part of this work, enabling information and advice to be conveyed free of charge to whoever my need it throughout the country.

“Providing information, advice and support is a fundamental part of the work undertaken by Deafness Research UK, so we are really grateful for the educational grant from Oxley & Coward,” said Tanya Bukvic, Head of Individual Giving for Deafness Research UK. “Everything from the Bionic Ear Show to this latest leaflet relies on funding and without it; we would be unable to continue our work. There is never enough funding to do all the things we would like to do, so we are particularly grateful to all our sponsors like Oxley & Coward for helping us bring the fruits of our research to life and literally offering hope to millions.”

Hearing loss is a common problem in the UK and affects around nine million people (one in seven) and research from Deafness Research UK shows these people tend to wait 10-15 years before seeing a doctor, when early intervention can make a big difference. As Oxley & Coward know from their clients, noise induced hearing loss is not just confined to the old and the firm can offer advice and help to anyone who believes their deafness may have been work related.

“While Oxley & Coward can take care of the legal side of claiming compensation for industrial deafness, working with Deafness Research UK means we can also point clients in the right direction when it comes to seeking help and practical advice on how best to deal with their condition,” added Jayne. “Collaborating in this way means we can offer our clients the all round professional service we pride ourselves on, while helping Deafness Research UK too.”

ENDS

Photograph and caption

1)What’s all this ear? (left to right) Bionic Ear Show presenter Tobin May joins Oxley & Coward’s Jayne Jackson and Paul Smith to launch the new Helping You Hear Better booklet.

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About the Helping You to Hear Better leaflet

The leaflet has been produced for people who are having difficulties with their hearing and offers suggestions for treatment. It could also be useful for those people who have a friend or relative whom they feel might need some encouragement or support in getting help.

For help and advice on Deafness and Tinnitus

For more information on research into deafness, tinnitus and other hearing conditions, log on to the website at www.deafnessresearch.org.uk where you can access a wide range of information. Alternatively you can e-mail Deafness Research UK at info@deafnessresearch.org.uk or call the Deafness Research UK Information Service, free of charge, on 0808 808 2222.

Ref: OXCOW119 – Bionic Support for DRUK

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