A CHARITY which helps the hard of hearing is appealing for volunteers in the Durham area to help with its work.

Hearing Concern, which is operating on Tyneside, is expanding after winning £162,000 funding over three years from the National Lotteries Charities Board.

The charity aims to help the hard of hearing come to terms with the problem; make the best use of hearing aids; and give advice about other equipment.

Regional manager Simon Milligan, who used to work in the audiology department at Durham's Dryburn Hospital, said: "Hearing loss is overlooked, but one in seven in the population has it."

The charity is looking for volunteers who will be trained as advisors to carry out a variety of work with the hard of hearing.

Their tasks will include giving support for a first-time hearing-aid user, advising on everyday problems that users encounter, exchanging batteries, retubing hearing aids, visiting pensioners' homes, and providing information.

"Hopefully, it will be a permanent thing. We are looking at setting up a resource centre in Gateshead - we already have a drop-in centre," said Mr Milligan.

Anyone interested can telephone 0191-478 8308/8309, or send an e-mail to rita-hearingconcernneil is being asked to gr