WORKING deaf people in Laois are facing extortionate bills for hearing aids, according to advocates. Maggie Owens, an educator based in Laois, was born deaf. “I rely on hearing aids for everyday communication,” she says.

The athlete, who was born deaf, said she was ‘so grateful’ to be involved in the storyline.

The settlement of Sean Munnelly’s case against the HSE came after several days of hearing in the High Court.

Padraig Byrne, who has Down Syndrome, only got his first hearing assessment when he was 17 months old.

He said over several years the child was brought on six or seven occasions to audiological services attached to University Hospital Waterford, but her hearing loss was not diagnosed until 2015.

Chime says people are struggling with hearing loss without support.