Communication tips
Tips when you have difficulty hearing
- Tell the person you are speaking to that you have difficulty hearing
- Ask others to get your attention before speaking
- Get a clear view of the speakers face and lips
- Ask people to slow down if necessary
- Ask people to repeat or rephrase
- Learn to lip read (please see ‘lip-reading’ section for more information)
- Keep calm and don’t be too hard on yourself!
Tips when speaking to someone who has difficulty hearing
- Get their attention before speaking
- Make sure they can see you and your lips clearly
- If they don’t understand, try rewording the phrase
- Include them in your conversation
- Find a quiet space
- Speak clearly and slowly
- Don’t shout!
Hearing aid guidance
Visit C2Hear online with helpful videos to help you manage your hearing aids.
Retubing
The tubes for your hearing aids need to be changed every 4-6 months, which you can do yourself. How you go about retubing you hearing aid will depend on what kind of hearing aid you have.
Retubing hearing aids with ear moulds
If your hearing aid has an ear mould then the tubing can be provided to you in three ways:
- They can be given at the reception desk in the Audiology department
- They can be posted out to you
- They can be given at any appointment in the Audiology department
- View ‘how to retube a hearing aid’ video.
Retubing hearing aids with slime tubes (no ear mould)
If your hearing aids have slim tubes then the tubing can be provided to you in two ways;
- They can be posted out to you
- They can be given to you at any appointment in the Audiology department
- We are unable to give slim tubes out at the reception desk.
- Alternatively you can book an appointment to have your hearing aids retubed by one of our clinicians.
Repairs and servicing
Please contact us to arrange any repairs or service appointments. We also operate a postal service – please ensure that your hearing aid is well packaged, include an explanatory note, your record book and enclose sufficient return postage. Please note, we do not take any responsibility for any hearing aids that are lost or damaged in the post.
Batteries
Batteries are available from our reception desk (Mon-Fri: 8.15am – 5.30pm) and from named health centres (please ask for more details). We can send batteries and tubing by post, providing that you send us your battery card, used batteries and sufficient return postage. You can also obtain batteries from the reception in A&E if needed urgently outside the Audiology department opening hours.
Battery card
Your battery card is required for you to obtain batteries. Anyone can collect batteries and tubing on your behalf as long as they have your card.
Damage or loss
If either your hearing aid or earmould is damaged or lost, you may be asked to pay towards the cost of a replacement.
Troubleshooting
Problem: No sound
- Possible cause: warn out battery – replace with new battery.
- Possible cause: blocked tubing – clear wax
Problem: intermittent/reduced sound
- Possible cause: moisture in hearing aid – wipe battery and instrument with dry cloth
- Possible cause: condensation in tubing – remove aid and shake gently
- Possible cause: blocked tubing – clear tubing and clean earpiece
Problem: whistling
- Possible cause: earpiece incorrectly inserted – reinsert
- Possible cause: wax blocking ear canal – contact GP surgery to have wax removed
- Possible cause: poor fitting mould – contact us for an appointment
Useful websites
- Action on hearing loss
- Association of teachers of lip-reading to adults (ATLA)
- British tinnitus association
- Deafblind UK
- Connevans (assistive listening devices)
- Hearing Link
- Menieres Society
- National association of deafened people
- National deaf children’s society
- Sense
- Connevans
- Vestibular disorders association