DROP-IN hearing loss centres in North Ayrshire are to close at the end of March due to the loss of funding.

The Hear-To-Help service run by the charity Action on Hearing Loss is used by more than 1,200 people from Ayrshire and Arran and provides information on maintaining hearing aids as well as advice and support around hearing loss.

The free service is currently funded by the Scottish Government, however, funding is due to end in March.

MP for North Ayrshire and Arran Katy Clark is concerned that the loss of these drop-in centres will leave people unable to access support and put extra pressure on NHS audiology services in the area.

She said: “I am very concerned that Hear-To-Help centres could close, as they provide hearing aid support in local community venues.

"If these drop-in centres stop running, then people may have to travel to either Crosshouse Hospital or University Hospital Ayr to receive similar support. This will make these services much more difficult to access.” “More than a thousand people use Hear-To-Help services in Ayrshire and Arran each year and there are already considerable pressures on audiology services in area.

“The closure of Hear-To-Help drop-in centres would make this much worse.

“It is important that Hear-To-Help services are protected so that people can access the support they need. I hope that an alternative source of funding is found so that this vital service continues to run.” A Scottish Government spokesman said: “The Scottish Government provided one off, non-recurring funding to Action for Hearing Loss for their Hear to Help project in 2011 on condition that on-going sustainable funding for was sought from other providers.

"Action for Hearing Loss has not subsequently sought funding directly from the Scottish Government.

"Minister for Sport, Health Improvement and Mental Health, Jamie Hepburn, is scheduled to meet them to discuss this matter shortly.”