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Hearing Impairment - Getting Help

Information for people who are Hearing Impaired, Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Section links: Introduction | Registration | Getting Help | Tinnitus | Communication | Employment | Useful Contacts

What can be done?

Nothing at present can give you back good normal hearing, and you may find this hard to accept. Counselling, specialist information or support and the hospital audiology department can advise on this. They will also test your hearing and provide you with an appropriate hearing aid, but this cannot miraculously restore your hearing. How much help you will need depends on the type or severity of your hearing loss.

If you, or your family, feel that you have a hearing problem, first talk to your doctor so that your ears can be checked and cleared of any infection or build up of wax before you are referred on to the hospital audiology department or consultant ear specialist.

Where to go

If you are concerned about your hearing loss and the effect it is having on your life or on your family, friends or neighbours, first visit your doctor. However, if you start bleeding from your ear or have acute, severe ear-ache, ring NHS Direct (0845 4647 or text phone 0845 6064647) for advice or visit the Accident and Emergency unit at the hospital.

What next?

If the audiology department provides you with a National Health Service hearing aid, (or you buy a private aid) it is important that you look after it properly. The audiologist will advise you on this and train you to fit it to your ear correctly. Your hearing aid should not whistle! If it does, first check that you

have fitted it in your ear properly. Check that the ear mould is clean and free of wax, this should be cleaned daily taking care not to get the battery casing wet. Check there is no condensation in the tube and that it is still flexible and properly fitted. If the hearing aid still whistles, return to the audiology department and explain the problem. They provide a full hearing aid service (adjustments, re-tubing, repairs, replacement, batteries etc.). Ring the Hospital Audiology Department for times and appointments.

The length of time your aid batteries last depends on the strength and volume setting of your hearing aid. They can run out suddenly, so always carry a spare. Don't throw batteries on the fire or where children or animals can reach them.

Make the most of your hearing - with or without a hearing aid. Many theatres and churches have installed a loop system for use with hearing aids, but make sure the system and your T switch are turned on before the event starts. Under the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, public places are obliged to provide loop systems.

Many hard of hearing people find it useful to attend lip-reading classes where they learn to distinguish lip patterns. Ring your local Adult Education or Hospital Audiology Department for dates, times and venues of classes near you.

People with a severe/profound hearing loss may wish to learn British Sign Language (BSL) and can do so by contacting Deaf Direct for information.