Sean Fletcher said: “The sponsorship is breath-taking for English deaf rugby.
“Having Amplifon as sponsors hits where we want to hit. The synergy is so important. Our needs and Amplifon’s needs fit perfectly together.
“Our chief responsibility is to our players and the Amplifon sponsorship and association is so beneficial to them in so many ways.”
Paula Cave, Amplifon’s general manager in the UK, said: “I am so excited about our partnership with the EDRU. When I met their officials, I was immediately struck by their passion and effort.
“Amplifon is so proud to be involved and to give the EDRU the support they so desperately need, we can raise awareness for each other and really help people with a hearing loss to join in with a whole range of events that they may have perceived to be unable to join in with”
Part of the sponsorship will help fund members of the EDRU’s squad for their tour of South Africa next year.
Head coach Sean explained: “A party of 63 are travelling to South Africa including 32 men and 21 women players, 10 staff and coaches plus medical people.
Sean also said the Amplifon sponsorship would help promote awareness of rugby players who are deaf or hard of hearing.
He said: “One of our main aims is for all of our players to play competitive rugby at their home town rugby clubs. We help them integrate with the rest of the club and work hard to make sure they don’t feel isolated.”
In deaf rugby union players have to be tested regularly to show they have enough hearing loss to qualify for the team and Amplifon will be the official provider of audiology testing for the EDRU.
Amplifon will also have a presence at all of England’s games – starting with the two clashes against Wales in Harlow in February and in Cardiff in March – and will be offering quick ear health checks for supporters.
Also England captain Luke Cheyne is to work as an ambassador for the Amplifon clinic in Coventry where he has had hearing tests and treatment. Luke, who is an RPA development manager at Leicester Tigers and Northampton Saints, is hoped to be the first of the players to be Amplifon ambassadors.
