Information Line (Freephone)
Telephone 0808 808 0123
Textphone 0808 808 9000
informationline@rnid.org.uk
Telephone 0808 808 0123
Textphone 0808 808 9000
informationline@rnid.org.uk
RNID: For deaf and hard of hearing people.
Members' Annual Survey
In 2005 we introduced an annual survey of our members. We send the questionnaire with our magazine, One in Seven, to approximately 24,000 members. The survey is an important way of finding out from our members what is most important to them. It also gives us an insight into the general issues affecting people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
The information we gather helps us to tailor our service and policy development and target both our campaigns and the provision of services more closely. In addition, we will use the findings to inform our responses to government consultation documents.
2008 Annual Survey
These are the main findings from the latest annual survey report. The questionnaire was sent to members in the summer of 2008. The main report can be downloaded now.
Quality of audiology services
Overall satisfaction levels for audiology services are high with 79% of respondents either quite or very satisfied with the service provided. However, there are some issues with audiology services:
- 71% of respondents with hearing aids have had some kind of problem with them and for one fifth of these, the problem was not resolved to their satisfaction.
- Only 23% of respondents were given information about other equipment that might be useful and 21% were given information regarding services and organisations which might be helpful when first receiving their hearing aids.
- 19% of hearing aid wearers find it difficult to get to their hearing aid dispenser.
- 84% of hearing aid users believe they should be called back automatically for a check up. Currently, many are not.
Transport
- One tenth of respondents who use the train, coach, ferry or aeroplane find it difficult to obtain information before travel and at least one quarter of respondents find it difficult to obtain information during travel.
- 45% of respondents would prefer to obtain information in person, and over one third of respondents would prefer to use the internet. 32% of respondents said someone else gets the information for them but this is only the preferred choice for 13% of people.
Television
- Background noise is an issue for the majority of our members. 87% of respondents agreed that background noise affects their ability to hear speech on television.
- Subtitling is important to our members, with three quarters of respondents using subtitles at least some of the time.
RNID services
- Respondents were more aware of those RNID services that are available to everyone in comparison with those services aimed at particular groups. For example, three quarters of respondents think that we provide an Information Line and 73% think we provide advice about equipment.
- One third of hearing aid wearers would like advice and support to get the most out of their hearing aids.
- 29% of respondents would like equipment to help them hear the TV and one fifth would like advice about benefits.
- Of those who would like help communicating with people face to face, half would prefer lipreading lessons to improve their communication.
Download the Annual Survey 2008 report [PDF 424Kb]
2007 Annual Survey
In our 2007 survey we asked members about:
- Their views of the One in Seven magazine.
- Satisfaction with RNID membership.
- Priorities for RNID campaigns.
- Members' priorities when receiving hearing aids.
- Participation in health and wellbeing activities.
- Access to technology
Download the Annual Survey 2007 report [PDF 1MB]
2006 Annual Survey
In our 2006 survey we asked members about
- Their experiences of and attitudes towards the Disability Discrimination Act
- Take-up of and attitudes towards disability benefits
- Waiting times for digital hearing aids
- Attitudes towards the provision of digital hearing aids
- Use of different types of transport
- Members’ perceptions of community safety
- Access to technology and learning resources
Download the Annual Survey 2006 report [PDF 165KB]
2005 Annual Survey
In our first survey in 2005 we asked members about
- Their experiences of membership of RNID
- Views of the membership magazine One in Seven
- Participation in leisure activities and use of free time
- Experiences and views of signed and subtitled media
- Perceptions of general health