There are fears for dozens of elderly Isle of Wight residents with hearing aids, after a vital service — which provides advice, support and repairs for the devices — had its funding cut.

Charity RNID (Royal National Institute for Deaf People), which has been helping Islanders for over 30 years, is to close its Island service at the end of the month.

Staff and volunteers hold several clinics, Island-wide, and visit care homes and private homes for hearing loss drop-in sessions.

As well as support, Islanders with NHS hearing aids also rely on the service for maintenance and repairs.

Last year, the Community Hearing Aid Maintenance and Support service, which has a dedicated team of six volunteers, maintained 2,288 hearing aids.

However, RNID, formerly known as Action on Hearing Loss, has confirmed it has been left with no choice but to close.

It said Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board (ICB) has pulled its annual grant.

The County Press has been told that it will mean anyone who has a problem with their NHS hearing aids, will have to go to the already busy audiology department at St Mary's Hospital.

It has led to fears that Islanders with broken hearing aids could face a long wait for them to be fixed, leaving them unable to hear for longer.

Franki Oliver, Audiology Manager at RNID, said: “Our concern is that NHS audiology services on the Island will be unable to meet the additional demand this closure will bring about.

"We also fear that the level of advice and support currently available to the Island’s population will not be met by remaining stretched NHS-commissioned services.

“We are engaging with the ICB and other stakeholders on this issue, and encourage all those who value the current service to make their concerns known to the ICB.”

Janice Young, whose mother relies on the service, said: "It's a great shame. The loss of the service will hit some of the most vulnerable in the community.

"The Island has a high population of elderly people, many of whom rely on NHS hearing aids to keep their links with the world, use a phone, watch TV.

"Once the clinics are gone, it is highly unlikely they will be restarted, and many Islanders will lose out."

RNID currently runs clinics in Bembridge, Brading, Ryde, Freshwater, Ventnor and Newport, as well as mobile services.

The County Press has asked Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board (ICB) and the Isle of Wight NHS Trust for a comment.