More than 60 people were able to have free hearing tests in one day thanks to audiology students from De Montfort University Leicester (DMU).
The students were volunteering with DMU Square Mile, which works to share the skills of staff and students with the community, and working alongside charity Action Deafness.
They took over an empty shop in the Highcross Shopping Centre which was kitted out with information stands and a testing area. Shoppers and passersby were invited in to have their hearing checked by 11 students, who are all studying for a degree in Audiology.
A total of 62 people were seen and tested in the day and some referred to a second test at DMU’s audiology lab in Hawthorn Building, where more in-depth tests could be run. Patients are then given a note outlining treatment to take with them to the clinic at Leicester Royal Infirmary.
Sonali Tanna, of Action Deafness, said: “Often hearing problems can be difficult to detect but this will give people a note which they can take to the Leicester Royal Infirmary where they can have further tests and get treatment.
“It makes it so worthwhile for the students when they see that they are making a real difference to people’s lives.”
Second years Sahresh Akram and Dipla Solanki were carrying out follow up tests on patients at Hawthorn Building using state of the art equipment available to DMU students.
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“It was really busy in the Highcross,” said Sahresh. “it has helped us because it gives us experience of the practice side of audiology.”
Dipla added: “It is so good having the contact with patients and being able to talk to them as we will be doing in the future.”
David Hollis, operations manager at the Square Mile said: “Our audiology students gain vital experience giving free hearing tests and it provides a really great service for people who get a quick check-up without having to book. In a number of cases, people have been referred to the NHS for diagnosis of a specific problem. This is a brilliant example how DMU is committed to sharing the public good of Higher Education to benefit our communities.”
Posted on Thursday 5 March 2015