How our volunteers make a difference

Our volunteers make a huge difference to the lives of 12 million people in the UK who are deaf or have hearing loss or tinnitus.

Here are the 3 main ways our volunteers help the people in the communities we support.

Helping people to hear well

Our volunteers help people get the most out of their hearing aids by cleaning them, replacing batteries and doing other important maintenance. They provide tips and hints about getting the most from your hearing aids.

Our volunteers also help people access the RNID online hearing check. It takes 3 minutes and is completely free. It will suggest if your hearing is in a normal range or if you may have hearing loss.

It’s so rewarding because you get instant feedback – people can hear clearly, or more clearly, and they keep thanking us.”
Myrea, RNID volunteer

Informing people

Our volunteers help deaf people and those with hearing loss and tinnitus find information about:

getting used to hearing aids and getting the most out of them
assistive technology
benefits
work

and many other important topics.

This might be information from RNID or information from other or organisations or charities, such as NHS, Citizen’s Advice or Jobcentre Plus.

Helping people live their lives fully

Being deaf or having hearing loss or tinnitus can often lead to a lack of confidence and feelings of isolation and loneliness.

Our volunteers help people connect with others and find the confidence they may have lacked in their relationships, social life or at work.

“Many people return to our information stands to tell us they’re going out and attending events again. It means we’ve really had an impact on the people we aim to support.”
Gerry, RNID volunteer

Find a volunteering opportunity

Our volunteers are vital in helping us make life fully inclusive for the 12 million people in the UK who are deaf or have hearing loss or tinnitus.

We have remote and in-person volunteering opportunities available across the UK.

Find an opportunity and apply

Benefits of volunteering

Volunteering for RNID is rewarding and enjoyable. It lets you challenge yourself and learn new skills – while making a difference to the 12 million people who are deaf or have hearing loss or tinnitus.

Read our volunteers’ stories

Learn more about our volunteers and the valuable work they do.

Investing in Volunteers

We achieved the Investing in Volunteers quality mark in 2023 for the work we do with volunteers across the UK.

Contact us

If you are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus and need free confidential and impartial information and support, contact RNID.

We’re open 8:30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.