'Having a hearing dog is like winning the lottery'

Devon Taverner-Hailou said her life was changed by specially-trained hearing dog Molly

A deaf woman has hailed the impact of her specially-trained hearing dog as similar to winning the lottery.

Devon Taverner-Hailou, from North Weald, near Epping, Essex, said her life had been blighted by discrimination due to her hearing loss.

However, the 25-year-old said the arrival of cockapoo Molly had made it "brighter and more meaningful".

"Having her has been completely life-changing," said Ms Taverner-Hailou, who also uses a prosthetic leg.

Trained hearing dogs have the ability to alert deaf people to sounds such as smoke alarms, alarm clocks and a baby's cry.

Ms Taverner-Hailou said Molly wore a special jacket to make others aware of her hearing loss.

"Before I had her, I would often feel anxious out in public," she said.

"People would sometimes talk to me and I wouldn't hear them, so they'd think I was rude.

"Molly makes me feel more accepted... I'm much happier when I'm out and about."

'24/7 companionship'

Ms Taverner-Hailou said people not being aware of her hearing loss had caused trouble in the past.

It led to a confrontation when she did not hear a train passenger asking her to move her prosthetic leg.

"So they picked up my prosthetic leg and moved it," she said. "That made me feel extremely vulnerable."

However, she thanked Molly for helping people to be more aware of her hearing loss.

Ms Taverner-Hailou added: "She gives me 24/7 companionship, which is invaluable."