THE RNID and the Tavistock-based Hear Me Now group are looking forward to working with shops and services to improve access for hearing aid users in Tavistock.

Research by volunteers found that 81% of 79 businesses surveyed in the town, did not have fully operational induction loops, which help people who are deaf or hard of hearing to communicate by amplifying speech over background noise.

The RNID and Hear Me Now are offering information and advice to help local businesses attract more customers with a hearing loss. 

RNID chief executive, Jackie Ballard, said: 'Tavistock is a wonderful town for shopping, so we think many local businesses will be disappointed to learn that, by failing to provide a fully operational induction loop, they've an unnecessary communication barrier deterring hearing aid users from buying their products or using their services.'

Chair of Hear Me Now June Wildman said: 'Communication is extremely difficult and tiring in public places and busy shops with background music when an induction loop isn't available.

'When you request that counter staff repeat themselves and they respond with a "You're stupid" facial expression, you just have to be thick-skinned.

'You end up avoiding places which don't make much of an effort and go to those which do. It's such a joy when you find shops with a working loop system, where staff are sympathetic and understanding.'

According to the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), service providers must make reasonable adjustments to allow access to disabled people.

For more information about RNID's campaign, which is asking hearing aid users to report their experiences of induction loop provision, visit http://www.rnid.org.uk/inductionloops">www.rnid.org.uk/inductionloops or email [email protected]">[email protected]