How do I get a hearing aid on the NHS?

If you are having difficulty hearing and think you might benefit from hearing aids, visit your family doctor, who may refer you to an audiology (hearing aid) department depending on local arrangements and what other symptoms you may have.

Don't forget to mention all possible relevant symptoms to your GP and specialist, for example, if you are experiencing noises in the ear or having difficulties with balance.

All NHS ENT and Audiology departments will have a waiting period. If your GP refers you to an audiologist, you will go on a waiting list for an appointment. UK citizens and residents are entitled to free hearing aids through the NHS. However, if you are in a hurry to get aids, or want a particular type of aid that is not available through the NHS, an alternative is to go to a private hearing aid dispenser or audiology department. Some NHS audiology clinics have links with private clinics and may be able to offer guidance, or you can contact the Deafness Research UK Information Service.

Before your first audiology appointment

• It is best to take the person you have the most conversation with along too, particularly if you are worried about being able to hear the audiologist. This will help the audiologist adjust the hearing aid to the voice you hear most often, and you will both understand the process involved in getting, using and adjusting to, your hearing aid.
• Ask the audiologist to speak slowly and more clearly if you cannot hear them.
• Think about which situations you have trouble hearing in. For example, one-to-one, watching television, hearing when you are with several friends, certain types of voices?

What to expect at your first appointment

• It will be explained what tests you are having.
• It will be explained if you need a hearing aid in one or both ears and why.
• Your audiologist will write down the name and type of hearing aid you are getting, and whether it is a digital or analogue aid.
• Your audiologist will show you your audiogram and explain the extent of your hearing loss.
• Your audiologist will show you how to care for your aid and how it works.

Initial testing

At your first audiology appointment, your medical history will be taken, your ears will be examined and your hearing tested. The main test is to find out the quietest sounds that you can hear at different pitches or frequencies, presented either over earphones or via a vibrator attached to your head. Additionally, a detailed questionnaire of your listening needs will normally be carried out. These simple tests will determine whether you need one hearing aid or two. If you need an aid, an impression of your ear will be taken, which will be used to create your earmould for your hearing aid. You will return several weeks later to get your aid fitted.

At the initial appointment you will be asked a list of questions about your hearing to help determine how best to adjust your aid for different situations. Ask your audiologist to print out a copy for you so that you are able to monitor the situations where you have difficulty hearing. Keep a list of all the different situations you have difficulty hearing in and tell the audiologist at your fitting appointment.

The more information you can give the audiologist about the different situations that you have difficulty hearing in, or hear well in, the better they will be able to adjust the hearing aid for your individual needs.

Fitting

Once your hearing aid is ready, you will return for a fitting appointment. Most people will receive one hearing aid, but in some cases the type of hearing loss (bilateral) makes it more beneficial for the patient to receive two aids. However, resource limitations mean that not everyone who would benefit from two hearing aids will get them.

• Your aid will be chosen to suit the degree and type of hearing loss you have.
• You will be shown how to put in the earmould.
• You will also be shown how to operate the controls and how to change the batteries.
• Your audiologist will help you to manage your hearing loss, improve your communication skills and enable you to participate fully in daily activities.

Follow up care

You will have a follow-up appointment around 6 to 12 weeks after your fitting appointment. Here you can discuss any problems you may be experiencing and any necessary adjustments will be made to the earmould and/or the programming of the hearing aid. For example, you may still have trouble hearing individual voices in noisy situations, or the aid may be amplifying sound too much in some situations. At this appointment, you may also get further information about getting used to, and looking after, the hearing aid.

After your follow-up appointment you will not normally be sent another audiological appointment unless you request one. However, some audiology departments conduct a routine follow up after a period of one or two years.

If you are not happy with the sounds the hearing aid produces and this is stopping you using it in all the situations you want to, you should request another appointment to make further adjustments to your hearing aid.

Ongoing support

• You don't usually need an appointment to get new hearing aid batteries. Check with your local department when facilities are available as opening times can vary. These are supplied free of charge from your local audiology department and may be available from local GP surgeries and health centres.
• If you have ongoing problems adjusting to your hearing aid, check if there is a hearing therapist in your area. They can offer ongoing support in helping you to manage your hearing loss, improve your communication skills and enable you to participate fully in daily activities. You can be referred by your family doctor or check with your local audiology department.
• If your hearing aid or earmould needs repairing you may or may not need an appointment, depending on local policy.