FOR many a trip to the hospital, doctor or dentist is often a daunting experience.

But imagine how much more difficult these situations might become if you couldn't hear what your doctor was saying to you.

How would you communicate your symptoms and understand the important information being spoken to you?

For the 50,000 people in the UK whose first or preferred language is British Sign Language (BSL), vital services would not be accessible without trained BSL interpreters.

However, interpreters in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, the same as on a national level, are in short supply and more people are needed to fulfil this much-needed profession.

There are approximately six fully qualified interpreters and approximately 14 junior trainee and trainee interpreters to cover the whole of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

Hampshire Deaf Association is putting out an appeal for new recruits in this, Deaf Awareness Week.

Interpreters play a vital role in breaking down communication barriers between deaf and hearing people.

BSL interpreters are hearing people trained in sign language who enable deaf and hearing people to communicate in a range of situations.

They are quite literally human aids to communication, translating English into sign language and vice versa.

Jan Tanner, an interpreter for Hampshire Deaf Association (HDA) said: "Hearing people have the freedom to access services without difficulty.

"Deaf people cannot access services without an interpreter and often have to wait until an interpreter is available."

Waiting time for an interpreter can be up to two or three weeks.

Hampshire Deaf Association's interpreting service provides BSL interpreters, notetakers and lipspeakers for deaf, hard of hearing and deafened people across the county.

The service was set up in 1990 to enable deaf people to enjoy the same independence, access to services and opportunities that are available to hearing people.

BSL interpreters often start their training at an adult education centre, studying BSL courses level 1 and 2 and then continuing on to NVQ 3 and 4, to become fully qualified interpreters.

BSL courses are open to anyone interested in learning sign language.

Contact your local adult education centre for course details. Some interpreters are hearing children of deaf parents who grow up fluent in BSL.

For more information about booking an interpreter or other communication support please contact HDA's interpreting service on 023 80 516 500, fax 023 80 516 501 or text 023 80 516 502