In this section
Who is the service for?
The Adult Hearing Service is a service for adults who:
- Need a hearing test because they, or their family, have concerns about their hearing
- Have a known hearing loss and need further help and support
The service receives referrals from general practitioners (GPs) or Ear, Nose and Throat doctors.
Who’s on the team?
The service is made up of a team of
- Clinical Scientists
- Audiologists
- Hearing Therapists
- Assistant Audiologists
The service also has strong links with the local
- ENT department
- Social services department
- Genetics department
What services are provided?
Services offered include:
- Specialist hearing assessment
- Fitting of hearing aids
- Evaluation of progress with hearing aids
- Hearing therapy
- Assessment for cochlear implantation and other specialist hearing aids as appropriate
Our Aim
- To provide you with an excellent service to meet your individual needs
- To give you individual attention
- To offer you access to any service within the department
- To offer you a suitable appointment date
- To make every effort to see you for an appointment on time
- To be available to you should you need advice or re-assurance
- To provide support when you are coming to terms with a hearing loss
- To offer you help if a hearing loss causes problems or lifestyle changes
- To ensure you feel confident and happy using a hearing aid
The Adult Hearing Service follows national guidelines and recognised best practice while also meeting the individual needs of adults and their families.
We involve adults in the decisions around the management of their hearing loss and in the development and improvement of our services.
What patients say about our service
Patient Testimonials
“Nowhere has been as helpful, knowledgeable and supportive as the Audiology department at Manchester Royal Infirmary. I can honestly say that their support has been fantastic and has improved my quality of life. I would recommend their services to anyone.”
Patient Testimonials
“I have never felt so comfortable with staff and the treatment I was given. I feel with my new hearing aids I have a new life and that’s due to the staff listening to me as well.”
NF2 Clinics
What is NF2?
Neurofibramatosis Type 2 (or NF2) is a rare genetic condition that leads to the growth of non-cancerous tumours on the linings of nerves. People with NF2 are very likely to have tumours affecting the nerve that carries information about their hearing and balance. This can cause problems with hearing and balance. Our NF2 clinic is a regional centre providing specialist assessment and management for individuals with NF2, working closely with doctors and other health professionals with a specialist experience of the condition.
Additional needs Service
The hearing clinic for adults with additional needs provides assessment and management of hearing for people with a range of conditions, including learning disabilities, autism and dementia.
The service aims, where appropriate, to obtain an accurate assessment of hearing, manage ear wax and support hearing aid use. This may involve testing how well speech and speech sounds are heard before and after hearing aids are fitted. Wax removal can be organised if needed and we can refer to social services for assistive listening devices, for example devices that help with hearing the smoke alarm, the doorbell, the phone or the TV.
What to expect when you visit Audiology
What to expect when you visit Audiology
When you visit the hospital you will visit several departments, which will include genetics, ENT and Audiology. When you arrive at the Audiology department, the audiologist will look at your ears and may do several hearing assessments. These could involve measuring the quietest levels of sound you can hear and asking you to repeat back words heard through headphones. This will provide the doctors with information about your hearing and enable them to decide with you what the best management options are. We may also make recommendations about hearing aids if they are suitable for you.
Other options to help you hear
Assistive Listening Devices
Assistive listening devices are extra pieces of equipment to use alongside your hearing aids or cochlear implant to help you hear better in certain situations.
For example they can help you to:
- Hear better on your mobile phone
- Listen to your music directly through your hearing device
- Connect to Bluetooth devices directly through your hearing device
- Hear a speaker at a distance, for example at a meeting or lecture
- Hear a speaker in a noisy situation like a restaurant more easily
We can arrange an appointment to give you advice and to demonstrate equipment that may help. For more information please contact us on 0161 2764613 or email us at audiology.mri@mft.nhs.uk
Social Services
If you are having difficulty hearing the doorbell, TV, alarm clock, smoke alarm at home and require equipment to help you, then please contact Social Services for a home assessment as some of this equipment may be available with no charge:
Manchester
You can call: 0161 2345001 to request an assessment at your home (or 0161 2192658 if you have a question directly for the sensory team). You can e-mail: mcsreply@manchester.gov.uk
Sensory Provision
Manchester Deaf Centre
Crawford House
Booth Street East
Manchester M13 9GH
Telephone: 0161 234 5001
Textphone: 0161 276 9336
Fax: 0161 276 9336
SMS: 0753 493 8598
Tameside
Tameside Deaf Team
Tameside Adult Services
Stalybridge Resource Centre
Waterloo Road Stalybridge
SK15 2AU
Telephone: 0161 342 2400
Minicom: 0161 342 3602
Fax: 0161 342 2460
Stockport
Adult Social Care Team
Stockport Council
Town Hall
Edward Street
Stockport
SK1 3XE
Telephone: 0161 217 6029
Minicom: 0161 217 6024
Fax: 0161 217 6022
E-mail: adult.social.care@stockport.gov.uk
Trafford
Physical Disability and Sensory Team
Waterside House
Sale Waterside
M33 7ZF
Telephone: 0161 912 4450 / 4362
Minicom: 0161 912 4377 / 4381
Fax: 0161 912 4076
E-mail: sensoryenquiries@trafford.gov.uk
Bolton
The Sensory Centre
Brinks Place
Chorley Street
Bolton
BL1 4AL
Telephone: 0120 433 7900
Minicom: 0120 433 7901
Fax: 0120 433 7817
SMS: 0778 903 1832
E-mail: sensory.centre@bolton.gov.uk
Cheshire East Deafness Support Network (sensory support)
Telephone: 0333 220 5050
If the contact information for your local Social Services is not on this list please ask an Audiologist.
Access To Work
Access to Work can help you if your hearing loss or other disability affects the way you do your job. It gives you and the person you work for advice and support with extra costs which may arise because of your needs. Access to Work can pay for some or all of the equipment that it feels you need at work, eg adapting premises to meet your needs, or a support worker etc.
Access to Work helpline
Telephone: 0800 121 7479
Textphone: 0800 121 7579
Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 121 7479
The Royal National Institute For Deaf People (RNID)
The RNID is the largest charity working to change the world for deaf and hard of hearing people. Please contact them for additional information about the latest equipment and for further advice about your hearing
RNID Information Line (Freephone) – Tel: 0808 808 0123
Text: 0808 808 9000 Email: informationline@rnid.org.uk Website: www.rnid.org.uk
The RNID Tinnitus Helpline provides support, understanding and the opportunity to ‘unload’ when you most need it.
RNID Tinnitus Helpline (Freephone) – Tel: 0808 808 6666. Text: 0808 808 0007
SMS: 0780 000 0360 Fax: 020 7296 8199 Email: tinnitushelpline@rnid.org.uk
Hearing Concern Link
Hearing Concern Link provides support and information to people with a hearing loss and there families.
Tel: (01323) 638230 Text: (01323) 739998 Fax: (01323) 642968
Website: www.hearingconcernlink.org Email: info@hearingconcernlink.org
British Tinnitus Association (BTA)
The BTA is a charity providing support and advice about tinnitus:
BTA Tinnitus Helpline (Freephone) – Tel: 0800 018 0527
Website: www.tinnitus.org.uk
National Association of Deafened People (NADP)
The NADP provides help, advice and support to improve the lives of deafened people:
Tel: 0845 055 9663 Mobile (SMS only): 07527 211 348
Fax: 01305 262 591
Email: enquiries@napd.org.uk Website: www.nadp.org.uk
Lipreading Classes
If you want to find out where your nearest lipreading class is please contact the Association of Teachers of Lipreading to Adults (ATLA).
Tel: 0161 886 7000 or 0161 886 7070 Minicom: 0161 877 8435 Website: www.lipreading.org.uk
Manchester Deaf Centre – Chorlton-On-Medlock
The centre is a place for D/deaf, deaf-blind and hard of hearing people to meet and socialise. The centre also runs an agency, Communication Support Service (CSS), which provides Sign Language Interpreters. There are also Link workers based at the centre to give advice and support on access to services.
Tel/Minicom: 0161 273 3415 Email: info@manchesterdeafcentre.com
Frequently Asked Questions
I think I have a problem with my hearing. What should I do?
Please contact your GP and ask for a referral to Manchester Royal Infirmary 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.
For examples of possible communication options please click here.
What can I do if my hearing aids break?
If your hearing aids have been issued by us you can access our Drop in repair service that is open between 10 am and 2 pm Monday to Friday. You do not need to book an appointment in advance to access this service.
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 276 4613. 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 access our Drop in repair service that is open between 10 am and 2 pm Monday to Friday. You do not need to book an appointment in advance to access this service.
Where can I collect batteries?
You can collect batteries from the ENT reception desk. Please let the receptionist know which colour batteries you use. If you find it difficult to attend the department, you can send someone else to collect batteries on your behalf.
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 276 4613.
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) 276 4613 or email: audiology.mri@mft.nhs.uk
What happens if my hearing aid gets stolen?
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) 276 4613 or email: audiology.mri@mft.nhs.uk
What happens if my hearing aid gets 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 have to 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 access our Drop in repair service that is open between 10 am and 2 pm Monday to Friday. You do not need to book an appointment in advance to access this service.
Can I wear my hearing aids when I fly?
Yes, there are no issues with wearing hearing aids when in an aeroplane. You may want to remove them during take off as it can get very noisy.