Our volunteers make a huge difference to the lives of 18 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.
If someone shows signs of hearing loss, I try to be very reassuring when they first get the result. I keep things positive and connect with them in that moment so they know there is support.”
Adam, 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.
Being able to make a real difference in people’s lives is my favourite thing about volunteering. Whether it’s retubing hearing aids, guiding someone to audiology services, or helping them understand the newer Bluetooth hearing aid technology – each interaction is a chance to see the genuine impact of what we do.”
Rachel, RNID volunteer
Find a volunteering opportunity
Our volunteers are vital in helping us make life fully inclusive for the 18 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.
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.