A new centre based in Bradford is set to improve the lives of babies born with hearing difficulties.

The specialist unit under construction in the grounds of Bradford Royal Infirmary will be the only centre of its kind in the North of England and one of only three in the country.

Run by Bradford audiology staff and members of the national deaf organisation, The Elizabeth Foundation, the converted cottage will be used to speed up diagnosis and help families come to terms with their child's hearing loss.

Parents will learn how to communicate with their children under the guidance of trained teachers of the deaf and acquire speech, language and good listening skills.

Elizabeth Foundation founder and director Shirley Metherell, whose daughter is profoundly deaf, said the most important step was to spot hearing problems at an early age.

She said: "There is a language opportunity for babies between the ages of nought and three. If parents want their child to have speaking skills, they have to start at an early age.

"They should not stop talking to their babies because they're deaf. They should make sure that they can see their faces and point out that their ears are there for a reason."

She added that Bradford had been chosen as a site because of its geographical links to the North and its high incidence of deafness, partly due to genetic disorders in the ethnic communities.

Half of the centre will be used for audio testing and half has been designated as a family centre with counselling and teaching facilities. Patron of the unit is Bradford-born artist David Hockney who also suffers with severe hearing difficulties

Eight-month-old Rhyce Kemple, from Bradford Moor, who has moderate to severe hearing loss and hearing aids in both ears, is just one of hundreds of babies across the region who could benefit.

Mother Kelly Worsnop, 21, said: "It has really difficult for me as I am so young and Rhyce has also been diagnosed as having Down's Syndrome. It's all about helping people communicate and getting along together."

Heather Martin, head of operational services at Bradford Hospitals NHS Trust, said staff were looking forward to providing a more extensive service to babies and children from across West Yorkshire.

Work is expected to be completed by the end of September in time for the building to open after the half-term break in October.