Sarah Watson: Hearing Help Essex

27 August 2026: Sarah Watson: Hearing Help Essex

The speaker at today’s meeting was Sarah Watson, the CEO of Hearing Help Essex.

Sarah described hearing loss as “the invisible disability”. Indeed, it is not always obvious to sufferers themselves. It can take up to ten years for those affected to accept they have the condition.

Hearing Help Essex is a registered charity. As its name indicates, it aims to help those living in Essex with impaired hearing. As well as giving them information, advice and guidance, it provides:

• hearing aid maintenance sessions;
• home visits;
• a resorce centre equipment loan service; and
• deaf awareness training.

Its board of six trustees, together with staff and volunteers, supports about 7,000 people each year. It has a resource centre in Chelmsford.