A WOMAN who felt isolated and alone after becoming deaf is living life back to the full thanks to her four-legged companion.

Joyce Nicholson, 73, of Kendal suffered from a ‘big spell’ of depression and was scared to leave her home after she lost her hearing at the age of 40.

Following an operation at Newcastle, which helped to restore some of her hearing, and despite having to learn how to speak again, Mrs Nicholson’s life spun around thanks to the kindness of a charity.

The national organisation Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, who train canines so they can help those with hearing difficulties, aided Mrs Nicholson with finding the perfect partnership.

Since its inception in 1982 the charity has matched thousands of its dogs with deaf people to help them with simple tasks.

After a lengthy process Mrs Nicholson was finally paired with cocker spaniel Teal, now aged four, who is there to alert her new owner to sounds she would otherwise miss.

This includes simple sounds we take for granted on a daily basis like the doorbell, alarm clock, telephone ringing and even danger signals like the fire alarm.

“She’s more than a companion,” said Mrs Nicholson. “She’s my best friend and always looks out for me.

“We clicked straight away and having her has been a total life changing experience.”

Last Tuesday, Mrs Nicholson was invited by the charity to meet HRH Princess Anne who was visiting the charity’s centre in Buckinghamshire to open a new breeding centre.

“I will never forget the experience,” said Mrs Nicholson.

“Princess Anne was a lovely person to talk to, she’s very down to earth and quite witty.”

However, Mrs Nicholson told The Westmorland Gazette that those with hidden disabilities such as deafness still came across problems as many people did not realise they had a disability.

“As I’m not obviously deaf people aren’t very kind and sometimes they think I’m being abrupt, or just very loud,” she said.

“I’ve even had some people laugh at me.

“So I just want to try to raise awareness about how isolating and scary being deaf can be and ask that people be kinder.”

Mrs Nicholson also thought that sign-language should be introduced in schools’ curriculums.

For more information about the charity visit hearingdogs.org.uk or call 01844 348 100.