Audiology practice and arts venue unite to help people cope with hearing loss

Lichfield’s Hub at St Mary’s has linked up with independent audiology practice Cathedral Hearing to help people living with hearing loss.

The Sandford Street practice will become the venue’s hearing partner of choice. helping the social enterprise community coffee shop and events location improve the customer experience for people living with hearing loss.

Cathedral Hearing’s principal audiologist Laura Evans was asked to assess the venue’s hearing loop system. After chatting with staff, the idea of a partnership to help people with hearing loss enjoy the venue more was formed.

The partnership will create and host a regular support group for those with hearing loss, including friends and family of those affected. The Cathedral Hearing Team will also run regular drop-in sessions and support spoken word events.

Laura Evans said: “According to the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID), approximately 18 million people in the UK are deaf, have hearing loss or experience tinnitus. That means roughly one in three people experience hearing challenges when accessing music, arts and culture.

“I’m delighted that The Hub team asked us to help them transform both the experience of existing visitors but show others, who may be hesitant to visit venues like this, that it fully embraces and welcomes those with hearing difficulties, making arts, culture and music accessible to all.”

Helen Campbell, head of fundraising and partnerships, said: “It’s amazing how one conversation has led to a partnership that will improve our visitor experience. We asked Laura to assess our loop system because we wanted to ensure the best possible experience for everyone.

“Having chatted about the challenges of visiting venues likes ours for people with hearing loss, we wanted to champion this group and support them as much as possible. 

“As a social enterprise, it is important for us to make our venue accessible to as many people as possible. Thanks to this partnership, we hope many more people will be able to enjoy high quality arts, music and culture in the future.”

To book a hearing consultation at Cathedral Hearing, visit their website or call 01543 319641.

Meanwhile, The Hub at St Mary’s is laying on a special tribute evening to the late recording legend Olivia Newton-John.

Sarah Riches is to present an evening featuring all of the multi-grammy winning artist and actress’s hits, including Physical, Xanadu, A Little More Love, Sam, Magic, Hopelessly Devoted To You, Make A Move On Me, and more.

Recording artist Sarah is a lifelong fan of the much loved and sadly missed Australian beauty, with the show featuring several decades of her best known hits.

The Hub Creative Director Anthony Evans said: “Sarah Riches is back at the Hub with her popular tribute to Olivia Newton-John. It’ll be a great night out so if you missed out on tickets previously now’s your chance.”

Tickets for the show, on Saturday May 16 at 8pm, cost £18, and are available online at or from the venue.

Pictured from left to right: The Hub's chief executive Louise Fleming, Laura Evans from Cathedral Hearing  and The Hub's partnership manager Helen Campbell.