According to the World Health Organisation, more than five per cent of the population has a disabling hearing loss and many rely on lip reading alongside sign language to communicate. Since face masks have become the norm in hospitals across the world, it has become increasingly difficult for patients with hearing loss to communicate when accessing healthcare.

Wearing a face mask prevents patients from lip reading and can reduce the volume of speech. To help patients experiencing difficulties, Bay Hospitals Charity has purchased 12 Portable Induction Desk Loop Systems to boost the Trust’s existing supply and provide support as widely as possible. This equipment will not only provide support and confidence for our patients accessing our services, but will allow colleagues to communicate quickly and easily with patients in urgent situations.