DeafHear — Ireland's National Charity for Deaf and Hard of Hearing People
DeafHear is Ireland's leading charity dedicated to supporting Deaf and Hard of Hearing people across the country. Founded in 1964 as the National Association for Deaf People and rebranded as DeafHear in 2007, the organisation provides a comprehensive range of services to over 32,500 individuals and their families every year. With 14 regional resource centres from Dublin to Donegal, DeafHear is uniquely positioned to deliver local support on a national scale.
Approximately one in six people in Ireland — over 700,000 individuals — experience some degree of hearing loss. DeafHear works to ensure that Deaf and Hard of Hearing people in Ireland can access the services, information and technology they need to participate fully in society. Whether you are newly diagnosed, managing a long-term hearing loss or supporting a family member, DeafHear is here to help.
DeafHear Services
DeafHear provides an extensive range of services designed to meet the diverse needs of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community in Ireland. These services are delivered through the national network of regional resource centres and the Dublin headquarters on North Frederick Street.
Hearing Aid Service
The DeafHear Hearing Aid Service is one of the most trusted hearing care providers in Ireland. The service offers comprehensive audiological assessments, hearing aid fitting, aftercare and repairs. DeafHear audiologists take a holistic approach to hearing loss, working with each individual to find the solution that best fits their lifestyle and communication needs. The service covers the latest digital hearing aid technology at competitive prices, with follow-up appointments to ensure optimal performance.
Family Support and Counselling
DeafHear's family support service provides emotional and practical support to families affected by hearing loss. This includes one-to-one counselling, peer support groups and the annual Information Weekend for families of children newly diagnosed with hearing loss. The family support team works closely with parents, siblings and extended family members to build understanding and confidence in communicating with a Deaf or Hard of Hearing child or adult.
Irish Sign Language (ISL) Services
Irish Sign Language is the native language of the Deaf community in Ireland, recognised under the Irish Sign Language Act 2017. DeafHear has been a longstanding advocate for ISL recognition and continues to provide ISL classes, interpretation services and community programmes. The organisation also offers an ISL overview of its services on its website, ensuring accessibility for ISL users.
Assistive Technology
DeafHear's assistive technology service helps Deaf and Hard of Hearing people in Ireland find the right devices to manage their hearing loss in everyday life. This includes alerting systems for doorbells and fire alarms, amplified telephones, personal listening devices, TV assistive technology and smartphone-compatible hearing accessories. The DeafHear.ie online shop makes these products available to purchase directly.
Communication Services
DeafHear provides communication support services including lip-reading classes, speech and language support, and access to the Text Relay Service. The Text Relay Service, which DeafHear campaigned for over many years, allows Deaf and Hard of Hearing people in Ireland to make and receive phone calls through a relay operator.
Mental Health Support
DeafHear recognises that hearing loss can have a significant impact on mental health and wellbeing. The organisation provides mental health support through its counselling service, which is accessible to Deaf and Hard of Hearing people in their preferred communication method — whether spoken English, ISL or a combination of both.
Schooltech
Schooltech is DeafHear's specialist education technology service, providing personal communication systems and soundfield systems for students with hearing loss in Irish schools. These systems ensure that students can hear their teacher clearly in the classroom, which is essential for learning and social development. Schooltech works with schools, parents and audiologists across Ireland to find the best solution for each student.
DAHAT — Deaf Adult Home Assistance Team
The DAHAT service supports Deaf adults who need help to live independently in their own homes. The team provides practical assistance, advocacy and links to other services. DAHAT operates in Dublin and surrounding areas and is staffed by professionals who communicate fluently in ISL.
Accessibility Advice and Auditing
DeafHear provides accessibility consulting to businesses, public bodies and organisations that want to improve their services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing customers and employees. This includes auditing physical spaces for hearing loop provision, advising on communication access and training staff in deaf awareness.
DeafHear Regional Resource Centres Across Ireland
DeafHear operates 14 regional resource centres across Ireland, making it the most geographically accessible deaf charity in the country. Each centre offers a range of local services including hearing aid clinics, drop-in information sessions, ISL classes and social activities for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community.
- Dublin — Three centres covering Dublin North, Dublin Centre (headquarters at 35 North Frederick Street) and Dublin South
- Leinster — Dundalk, Tullamore, Kilkenny, Waterford and Wexford
- Munster — Limerick and Killarney
- Connacht — Galway, Castlebar and Sligo
- Ulster — Letterkenny
This national network ensures that Deaf and Hard of Hearing people across Ireland can access DeafHear's services regardless of where they live. Each centre is staffed by professionals who understand the local community and can connect individuals with relevant services in their area.
Hearing Loss in Ireland — Facts and Figures
Hearing loss is one of the most common health conditions in Ireland. According to the World Health Organisation, disabling hearing loss affects approximately 466 million people worldwide, and this number is projected to rise to 900 million by 2050. In Ireland, the figures are equally significant:
- Over 700,000 people in Ireland experience some degree of hearing loss
- One in every six Irish adults has a hearing loss
- Only one in five adults with hearing loss in Ireland has hearing aids
- Approximately 5,000 Deaf people in Ireland use Irish Sign Language (ISL) as their first or preferred language
- One to two babies per 1,000 are born with a hearing loss in Ireland
- Hearing loss is strongly linked to social isolation, depression and cognitive decline in older adults
Early identification and intervention are critical. The Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Programme, introduced in Ireland in 2011, has significantly improved early diagnosis of hearing loss in infants. For adults, regular hearing checks — particularly after the age of 50 — can help identify hearing loss before it begins to affect communication, relationships and quality of life.
Irish Sign Language (ISL) — Recognition and Resources
Irish Sign Language (ISL) is the indigenous sign language of the Deaf community in Ireland. It is a visual-gestural language with its own grammar, syntax and vocabulary, distinct from both English and British Sign Language (BSL). ISL has been used by Deaf people in Ireland for centuries and was formally recognised under the Irish Sign Language Act 2017.
The ISL Act 2017 was a landmark piece of legislation that recognised ISL as a native language of Ireland and gave Deaf ISL users the right to use ISL when accessing public services. The Act also established the Irish Sign Language Interpretation Service and required public bodies to make information available in ISL where requested.
DeafHear has been a leading voice in the campaign for ISL recognition and continues to promote ISL through classes, community events and advocacy. The organisation also provides ISL-accessible content on its website and social media channels.
Tinnitus Information and Support
Tinnitus — the perception of sound in the ears or head without an external source — affects an estimated 10 to 15 per cent of the population in Ireland. While tinnitus is not a disease in itself, it is often associated with hearing loss and can have a significant impact on quality of life, sleep and concentration.
DeafHear provides information, support and referral services for people living with tinnitus in Ireland. The organisation's factsheets cover causes, management strategies and when to seek medical advice. DeafHear's hearing aid service can also help individuals whose tinnitus is associated with hearing loss, as hearing aids often reduce the perception of tinnitus by improving access to external sounds.
Cochlear Implants in Ireland
A cochlear implant is an electronic device that provides a sense of sound to people who are profoundly deaf or severely hard of hearing and who receive limited benefit from conventional hearing aids. In Ireland, the national cochlear implant programme is based at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin.
DeafHear provides pre- and post-implant support to cochlear implant recipients and their families. This includes information sessions, peer support, rehabilitation support and access to assistive technology that works with cochlear implants. The organisation also advocates for improved access to cochlear implant services in Ireland, including shorter waiting times and expanded eligibility criteria.
How to Contact DeafHear
DeafHear's national headquarters is located at 35 North Frederick Street, Dublin 1, Ireland. The organisation can be contacted through multiple accessible channels:
For information about your nearest regional resource centre, visit the Contact Us page or call the national office.
Supporting DeafHear
DeafHear is a registered charity (CHY 5633 | CRA 20008772) and relies on the generosity of the public to fund its services. There are many ways to support DeafHear's work for Deaf and Hard of Hearing people in Ireland:
- Donate: Make a one-off or regular donation through iDonate.ie
- Fundraise: Organise a fundraising event in your community, school or workplace
- Volunteer: Give your time to support DeafHear events, administration or community programmes
- Become a Friend: Join the Friends of DeafHear programme for regular updates and invitations to events
- Campaign: Support DeafHear's advocacy work on issues affecting Deaf and Hard of Hearing people in Ireland
