Of families were not offered therapeutic counselling as part of their journey to hearing.¹

By this year, adult onset hearing loss will be one of the Top 10 disease burdens in the UK.²

This many adults in the UK have hearing loss severe enough that they cannot hear speech.³

People with hearing loss face higher levels of discrimination, resulting in reduced opportunities.⁴

Unaddressed hearing loss impacts many aspects of life including communication, cognition and relationships.⁵

Nicola Pestana

Hearpeers Manager, UK & Ireland

"I lead the Hearpeers Mentor Programme, dedicated to raising hearing awareness and providing crucial support to hearing implant users, potential users, and their families. We provide peer-to-peer support through our Volunteer Hearpeers Mentors, who are implant users themselves or related to a user. Our goal is to support as many individuals as possible on their journey to hearing. I'm incredibly proud of our work in building a supportive community and making a positive impact in people's lives."

Stuart McNaughton

Registered Psychotherapist

"I am a qualified psychotherapist with lived experience of hearing loss. As a cochlear implant user since 2001, I'm incredibly proud to be leading BeHeard by MED-EL. I wish a service like this had existed when I was going through my hearing journey all those years ago as it would have made things much less stressful. We have created a range of counselling options and resources designed by people who know exactly what you may be experiencing, so please reach out. You are not alone."

Allison Derbyshire

Awareness & Engagement Executive

"I am the creator of our ‘Three Simple Steps’ brochures. Living with single-sided deafness, I use a bone conduction device.  My lived experience reinforces my commitment to supporting those living with hearing loss whilst collaborating with groups and charities. I organise events and connect with people online through webinars.  I am passionate about empowering people with hearing loss and dedicated to providing them with the support they need in order to thrive."

© 2025 BeHeard by MED-EL Service is supported by MED-EL.