A HEARING clinic joined an elite list of accredited sites in the UK in the same week it marked the launch of a new product with help from a TV presenter.

Help in Hearing, based at the Southmead Clinic in Blackpond Lane, Farnham Common, has become one of only 12 sites in the UK to be awarded the hearing consultant approved site accreditation.

The announcement coincided with the launch of a new product on Friday last week (24/10) - the Lyric3 hearing aid by Phonak International. Help in Hearing is the only provider of the new device in Berkshire and Buckinghamshire, and one of 30 in the UK.

Former Crimewatch presenter Jacqui Hames suffered hearing loss due to a virus more than two years ago. She has been reliant on Help in Hearing, as well as its managing director Selma Becker, to help her carry on with her life, and has praised the new device.

She said: “My business life is spent communicating with people, in the newsroom, in meetings or just over the telephone.

“My head was in a goldfish bowl full of water and I thought how am I going to cope? But I have been very fortunate that I had a fantastic GP who referred me straight away, and that first step was important.

“What Selma does is deal with the emotional impact and she explained things properly, and showed me that it does not have to change your life.” Help in Hearing was chosen by Phonak to provide the Lyric3 hearing aid, which is invisible when worn, can be worn for months at a time without the need to change batteries, and can also be linked up to a smart phone to answer calls and play music.

Ms Hames added: “I am determined to carry on as normal and lead a normal life - people do not notice it [Lyric3 hearing aid].” The accreditation was awarded to Help in Hearing following a two month audit, and it sets the standard for customer care and audiology expertise.

Mrs Becker said: “One of the key factors of attaining consultant approved status is the ability to provide independent advice.

“We provide a wide range of products with different styles that work with the varying lifestyles, ages, and ear shapes and sizes to ensure that the correct solution is recommended to match each person’s hearing requirements.”