Audiology | Adults
The Audiology Department specialises in assessing, diagnosing and treating hearing and balance problems for people of all ages from birth. Our highly skilled team of audiologists use a range of tests to assess hearing and can fit hearing aids for patients as necessary. We also provide counselling for tinnitus (noises in the ears), balance tests and rehabilitation.
We have excellent levels of patient satisfaction because of our high quality, patient-centred care. We are accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service against the requirements of Improving Quality In Physiological Services.
The Audiology staff work closely with the Ear, Nose and Throat department, who investigate, diagnose and treat hearing and balance disorders. Our main audiology base is at King's Mill Hospital and we also provide the majority of these services at Newark Hospital.
How to access our audiology services
Patients who have not previously been seen in our department can be referred directly to Audiology by their GP if they meet the following criteria:
• Are over 18 years of age
• Have hearing levels which are similar in both ears
• Have hearing loss which is not sudden or fluctuating
• Do not have troublesome tinnitus (noises in the ears) or vertigo
• Have ears which are free from wax, infection, discharge, perforation and skin conditions
Your GP or practice staff will make you an appointment if appropriate, via the Hospitals Choose and Book system to suit you. Appointment waiting times are short and you will be given a telephone number to contact if you need to cancel or change your appointment. It is important to ensure ears are clear of wax before attending the appointment as this can affect test results and we may not be able to proceed with a hearing fitting if appropriate. If there is too much wax please arrange for this to be removed prior to your appointment with your GP surgery.
Click here to read more about your direct referral appointment
If you proceed with the fitting of hearing aids, a further appointment will be made for you to attend so that this can be carried out. Click here to read more about your hearing aid fitting appointment.
The following website may be useful if you have recently been fitted with hearing aids or require further information;
Follow Up
We also offer either a telephone or face to face follow-up appointment to discuss how you are progressing with your new hearing aids and we can answer any more questions you may have or make further adjustments to your hearing aid if necessary. This appointment is normally 8-10 weeks following your fitting to give you a chance to get used to your new hearing aid(s).
Hearing Aid Batteries
Hearing aid batteries can be collected from a number of health care centres using your brown book/battery card. A list of centres can be found within the hearing aid information leaflets. Patient Hearing Aid Leaflets
Alternatively, they can be collected from the Reception desk at the main entrance to King's Mill Hospital or from Clinic 8 reception Monday-Friday between the hours of 8:30 and 17:00.
At Newark hospital these can be collected from the reception desk at the main entrance.
Hearing Aid Repairs
Once you have received a hearing aid from us, we also provide all ongoing service needs. We recommend that tubing / domes are changed every six months. You can request new tubes and domes to be posted out to you by sending an email to sfh-tr.audiologyhearingaidrepairs@nhs.net. Please provide your name, address and date of birth and we will post them out to you. If you are unable to change to tube yourself, please contact 01623 672383 to arrange a hearing aid repair appointment.
Please see links below for information on how to care for your hearing aid including retubing
Troubleshooting
Retubing - Earmould https://c2hearonline.com/custom_mould/retubing.html
How to care for slim tube aid https://c2hearonline.com/openfit/ha_care.html
How to care for aid mould https://c2hearonline.com/custom_mould/hearing_aid_care.html
If the hearing aid breaks, please see list of common faults and possible solutions which you can try before contacting us:
Tubing is discoloured, brittle and keeps slipping out – Replace the tubing
The hearing aid is whistling or screeching - Have your ear checked for wax and/or ensure your earmould/dome is fitting properly.
The sound keeps going off and then coming back on – Blow through the tubing and change the battery.
Your Hearing aid is bleeping – Replace the battery.
No sound – Check the tubing for blockages such as wax or condensation.
Earmould is uncomfortable, or keeps slipping out - Check that you are fitting it correctly.
Please see link for troubleshooting https://c2hearonline.com/openfit/troubleshooting.html
If the problem cannot be rectified, please contact us on 01623 672383 to arrange a Hearing aid repair appointment.
Postal Repair
We also offer a hearing aid postal repair service. You can drop off your hearing aid at clinic 8 reception at Kings Mill Hospital or outpatient reception at Newark Hospital in an envelope clearly marked with your full name, address, date of birth and telephone number so that we can contact you to arrange collection when complete. Please note that this service may take up to five working days.
Alternatively, you can post your hearing aid in to us. Any hearing aids posted to us should be sent by recorded delivery, with a note explaining the problem to Audiology, Clinic 8, Kings Mill Hospital, Sutton in Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, NG17 4JL. Please remember to include your name, address, date of birth and contact telephone number. We will return the hearing aid to you by post.
Lost hearing aids
It is hospital policy for the department to charge for lost hearing aids or those damaged through misuse. Please contact us on 01623 672383 to arrange a hearing aid repair appointment for replacement.
Useful links
The website www.C2Hearonline.com has useful information for hearing aid users, including videos on how to troubleshoot problems with your hearing aids.
British Deaf Association (BDA): bda.org.uk
Deafblind UK: deafblind.org.uk
Action on Hearing Loss (RNID): actiononhearingloss.org.uk
Phonak support: www.phonaknhs.co.uk/support-resources/
