Admission
Appointments for new patients hearing assessment is via referral from GP, ENT consultants or other medical professionals. Any existing Trafford NHS hearing aid users can also self-refer for hearing reassessment to the service. Patients fitted with hearing aids from other hospitals may need to be referred via their GP.
Appointments for existing patients or for general advice can be made by calling the department on 0161 746 2304.
Location
Our clinics are run at:
- Trafford General Hospital, Davyhulme
- Altrincham Hospital, Altrincham
- Chapel Road Clinic, Sale
All of clinics are by appointment only, so please arrange an appointment before attending.
We also offer a home visit service for the housebound at the discretion of the patient’s GP.
Hearing aid batteries are available to collect in person from Trafford General Hospital, Altrincham General Hospital, Chapel Road Clinic, Delamere Medical Practice, and Partington Health Centre.
Opening Hours
Clinics run from 8am – 6pm on various days of the week. All clinics are by appointment only.
Contact Details
Audiology Dept
Trafford General Hospital
Moorside Road
Urmston
M41 5SL
Adult Audiology:
Phone: 0161 746 2304
Email: trafford.audiology@mft.nhs.uk
Minicom: 0161 746 2450 (available Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm)
TypeTalk: 18001 0161 746 2304
Our Team
- Head of Audiology: Dr Greg Nassar, Principal Clinical Scientist
- Deputy Head of Audiology: Mike Philbin
- Clinical Lead: Agnes Pagan
- Senior Audiologist: Marion Pollock
- Senior Audiologist: Antonia Dolan
- Senior Audiologist: Chloe Burrows
- Audiologist: Olivia Bennett
- Assistant Audiologist: Michelle King-Barker
- Assistant Audiologist: Helen Dube-Verity
- Admin and clerical: Clare Bracegirdle
- Admin and clerical: Lesley Myers
Replacement Tubes – Order Form
If you are happy to retube your own hearing aids, you can now order your replacement hearing aid tubes online by clicking the button below and completing the short form.
Hearing aid tubes should be replaced every 6 months. Replacement tubes can take up to 2 weeks to be delivered.
Awards and Recognitions
Our Head of Department Dr Greg Nassar was awarded the accolade of “UK Audiologist of the Year 2014” for his dedication to our paediatric hearing aid users.
Additional Information
All aspects of Adult Audiology are dealt with, including hearing aid assessment, paediatric hearing problems and also more complex work for patients suffering with common balance problems or tinnitus. We offer a complex objective diagnostic service for patients who are difficult to test and adults with learning difficulties.
Being part of Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, the audiology department has excellent links with both Manchester Royal Infirmary and the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital ensuring that all patients have access to specialist interventions wherever necessary.
Helpful Video Guides: Hearing Aids
Turning your hearing aid on and off
Changing the battery of your hearing aid
Inserting your hearing aid mould
How to differentiate between your hearing aids
Cleaning your hearing aid Ear Mould
Troubleshooting your hearing aid
Changing the tube on your hearing aid
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
I think I have a problem with my hearing. What should I do?
Please contact your GP and ask for a referral to Trafford Audiology Department. Your GP will refer you for an appointment where an Audiologist will assess your hearing.
What happens when I am referred to Audiology?
If you have been referred by your GP then you will be seen by an Audiologist who will assess your hearing and talk with you about any hearing difficulties you might be experiencing.
If you have been referred by an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) consultant you will already have had a hearing assessment. The Audiologist will talk with you about things that you can try to help with any hearing difficulties you might be experiencing.
What can I do if my hearing aids break?
If your hearing aids have been issued by us you can contact us on 0161 746 2304 or email us at Trafford.audiology@mft.nhs.uk.
What do I do if I think my hearing has changed?
If your hearing has gone down suddenly, please contact your GP or go to your nearest Accident and Emergency department.
If you feel your hearing has gradually become worse and you are already a hearing aid user, please contact the department on 0161 746 2304 or email: trafford.audiology@mft.nhs.uk. We will advise you on what to do or may make you an appointment, depending on how long it has been since your last hearing test.
How often do I need my hearing aid checked?
You need have the tubing changed on your hearing aid every six months. If you need help, please contact our department on 0161 746 2304 or email: trafford.audiology@mft.nhs.uk.
Where can I collect batteries?
Please refer to your hearing aid instruction booklet for advice on how to insert and remove the batteries. Replacement batteries can be collected, free of charge, from any of the following clinics:
- Trafford General Hospital: Outpatient reception & Audiology reception
- Altrincham General Hospital: Ground Floor Reception
- Chapel Road Clinic: Clinic Reception
- Timperley Health Centre, Grove Lane: Clinic Reception
- Partington Health Centre: Clinic Reception
- Delamere Health Centre (Stretford): Clinic Reception
Postal Service: Batteries can be provided by post, please send a stamped address envelope to: Audiology Department, Trafford General Hospital, Moorside Road, Davyhulme, Manchester, M41 5SL.
(one packet of batteries per hearing aid will be provided)
How often will Audiology send for me?
After fitting your hearing aid, the Audiologist will make an appointment to review your progress in 6-8 weeks. After that appointment, Audiology will not send for you. It is up to you to contact the Audiology department and come into the open repairs service if you have any problems or if you feel your hearing has changed. You are entitled to a hearing test every three years or sooner if you think your hearing has changed. To make this appointment please contact the Audiology reception on: 0161 746 2304 or email: trafford.audiology@mft.nhs.uk.
What happens if I lose my hearing aid?
The hearing aids are on loan from the hospital. This means that you may be liable for a charge if it is lost. If you have lost your hearing aid, please contact the department on 0161 2746 2304 or email: trafford.audiology@mft.nhs.uk.
What happens if my hearing aids are stolen?
In order for the department to replace the hearing aid we require a police crime number.
Why are some people's hearing aids smaller than mine?
The size of a hearing aid depends on the degree of your hearing loss. The Audiologist will select the hearing aid most suitable for your hearing. The more powerful hearing aids are generally larger in size.
Do you fit digital hearing aids?
All the hearing aids fitted in the department are digital hearing aids. This means they are programmed by a computer to match your individual hearing needs.
I've seen some people with hearing aids that fit right inside the ear. Can I have one of these?
In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids are very expensive to manufacture compared to hearing aids which sit behind-the-ear (BTE), because they must be individually made for each person’s ear. They also break down more frequently, as they are more easily blocked up by wax. For these reasons, the NHS does not offer ITEs unless there are exceptional medical circumstances. The technology for both ITE and BTE hearing aids is the same so they will both be just as beneficial to your hearing.
Why is my hearing aid whistling?
There are 3 main reasons why a hearing aid may whistle:
- There may be a lot of wax in your ears.
- The ear mould of your hearing aid may not be in your ear properly.
- The ear mould may not be a tight enough fit in your ear.
You can book a repair appointment with us by contacting department on 0161 2746 2304 or email: trafford.audiology@mft.nhs.uk
