Two new community hearing clinics have been officially launched with Norfolk Deaf Association (NDA) by North Norfolk MP and health minister Norman Lamb.

A new NDA mobile clinic, funded by the Big Lottery Fund, officially took to the road at Holden Renault in Norwich, followed by the launch of two dedicated clinic rooms at the NDA's new headquarters in Thorpe Road. One of the rooms houses a hearing test booth so that hearing testing can be conducted to the highest standards.

Expert audiologists from the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (N&N) will provide the service from the NDA premises five days a week, including hearing assessment, hearing aid fitting and follow-up appointments and reassessing hearing aid users.

Mr Lamb said: 'Effective diagnosis and support for those suffering from hearing loss can have a profound impact on people's quality of life, and in particular on their confidence, and their ability to maintain social interaction.

'It is a pleasure to open these two new community clinics and the mobile clinic, and to see such excellent facilities provided for local people with hearing loss.'

Aliona Laker, NDA chief executive, said: 'We wanted to offer a complete service to patients, starting with a hearing assessment and following up with the full range of support services we are offering to people with hearing loss in Norfolk.

'We are delighted that this is now possible working in partnership with the audiologists from the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. This service is available without visiting the hospital and provides easily-accessible premises in a community, non-hospital environment.

'NDA's mobile clinic takes our hearing support service straight to the heart of the Norfolk community, reaching many towns and villages as well as sheltered houses, nursing and residential homes. So, anyone who is wearing an NHS hearing aid, and who requires help with their maintenance or any other advice and support about hearing loss, can access our help very close to their homes.'

The NDA provides a range of support, including a befriending service, tinnitus support group, deaf awareness training and a hard of hearing club. Visit www.norfolkdeaf.org.uk.

? Do you have a health story? Email adam.gretton@archant.co.uk