Send us your nominations

IT may surprise you and your readers to learn that one in six people in Wales are deaf or hard of hearing.

By 2035, this number will increase to one in five. Many people will be directly affected, either through personal experience or supporting deaf friends or family members living with hearing impairment on a daily basis.

At Action on Hearing Loss Cymru, we work to improve the lives of the 575,500 people in Wales affected by hearing loss to help them live their best possible lives. From providing hearing aid support sessions to social groups, as well as specialist care and support – our services provide a lifeline to those affected by hearing loss. It can be hard to imagine just how difficult simple tasks can be, from contacting customer service desks to querying a bill – both tasks that can unnecessarily cause confusion and upset, if companies don’t have the right tools in place.

This is why we launched the Action on Hearing Loss Cymru Excellence Awards four years ago, to recognise and celebrate the amazing work of companies across Wales to make their services accessible to people affected by hearing loss.

Since launching in 2015, we’ve honoured more than 20 Welsh companies that make their services deaf friendly and now we’re busy preparing for this year’s awards which take place on Friday, May 17. Nominations are open and we’re looking forward to recognising businesses that take steps to make their services readily available to the thousands affected by hearing loss.

If you have hearing loss, or have witnessed the work of local businesses who support friends and family, now is your chance to have their hard work recognised.

To nominate a business – whether it’s your local bank, nearest supermarket or even your workplace – and to find out more about the awards, visit www. actiononhearingloss.co.uk/wales or email excellencewales@hearingloss.org.uk Daisy Cole Director for Wales at Action on Hearing Loss