AUDIOLOGY DEPARTMENT Information Leaflet

Your Health. Our Priority.

www.stockport.nhs.uk

Audiology, Outpatients A | Stepping Hill Hospital

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Replacement NHS hearing aid batteries New supplies of batteries are available from local battery distribution centres, including all libraries in Stockport – you will need to produce your brown hearing aid record book. Alternatively, batteries are always available from the Audiology Department at Stepping Hill Hospital.

Hearing aid maintenance and repair All hearing aid repairs are by appointment only and carried out at the Audiology Department. Please ring 0161 419 4183 to make an appointment – you can phone at the following times: Monday to Friday 9am - 12 noon & 1.30pm - 4pm Re-tubing and cleaning only - ask for a service – this is usually a 15 minute appointment. Your hearing aid(s) require servicing approximately every 6-9 months. Problem with sound? – (sound quality, clarity, aid(s) too loud or too quiet) ask for a fine-tune appointment which usually needs 30 minutes. Hearing aid whistling/mould uncomfortable/aid not working – explain the problem and we will advise you how much time is required for your appointment. If you have any problems getting used to your new hearing aid(s), please try to adjust to the new sound for 3-4 weeks. If your problems persist then make an appointment with us as above.

Walthew House Walthew House (112 Shaw Heath, Stockport, SK2 6QS. Tel: 0161 480 2612) is a centre that supports people in Stockport who are deaf, hearing impaired, blind, visually impaired or who have dual sensory loss. The Audiology Department runs a drop-in session on the first Tuesday morning of every month between 10am and 12 noon. At this session you can have your tubing changed, new moulds issued, your ears checked for wax and impressions taken. However, there is no facility at this drop-in session to have your hearing aids fine-tuned, to have broken hearing aids replaced or have your hearing tested.

www.stockport.nhs.uk

Audiology, Outpatients A | Stepping Hill Hospital

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Spare hearing aids If you are going on holiday abroad, you may be able to take a spare hearing aid with you in case your aid breaks down. Please make an appointment to see an audiologist at the department a few weeks before you go away. If you are on holiday in the UK and you have problems with your aids, you can contact the nearest NHS Audiology department for advice. Replacing the aid itself may not always be possible; however, simple repairs could be done.

Lost hearing aids There is a charge of £50 for a lost hearing aid and £10 for a lost earmould. Please be careful with your hearing aids and keep them in the box supplied when not wearing them.

Assistive devices There is a wide range of equipment available to help when you have a hearing loss, for example, telephones with built-in loop systems etc. These devices are available through The Adult Social Care Team at SMBC on 0161 217 6029 or see website: www.mycaremychoice.org.uk. Further information about assistive devices can be provided by the Audiology Department or by Action on Hearing Loss (Telephone number - 0808 808 0123) or on their web site: www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk.

Deaf clubs There are clubs run for people with a hearing loss. If you are interested in joining any clubs please contact the Audiology Department or the club directly (details below) for further details. 

Stockport Centre for the Deaf - 0161 480 2612 (Manned Thursday 10am – 2pm)

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Stockport Hard of Hearing Club - Contact - Walthew House 0161 480 2612

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Sign Language Classes - The Cheadle College - 0161 484 6620 or Marple Sixth Form College - 0161 486 4616

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Lip Reading Classes – Hope Valley College - Contact - Bill Allen - 01663 745313 or [email protected] or Trafford Hard of Hearing Group - Contact Ronald Rolph 0161 904 9986 or [email protected]

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Lip Reading Class (Wednesday afternoons 1pm – 3pm) - Manchester Centre for Deaf Studies, London Scottish House, The Board Room, 4th Floor, 24 Mount St, Manchester M2 3NN - 0161 796 1621 or [email protected]

www.stockport.nhs.uk

Audiology, Outpatients A | Stepping Hill Hospital

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Contact us Audiology Department Outpatients Department A Stepping Hill Hospital Poplar Grove Stockport SK2 7JE

www.stockport.nhs.uk

Direct Line (0161) 419 4183 Textphone (0161) 419 5208 Dept Fax (0161) 419 4184 Email [email protected]

Audiology, Outpatients A | Stepping Hill Hospital

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If you would like this leaflet in a different format, for example, in large print, or on audiotape, or for people with learning disabilities, please contact: Patient and Customer Services, Poplar Suite, Stepping Hill Hospital. Tel: 0161 419 5678. Email: [email protected].

Our smoke free policy Smoking is not allowed anywhere on our sites. Please read our leaflet 'Policy on Smoke Free NHS Premises' to find out more.

Leaflet number Publication date Review date Department Location

www.stockport.nhs.uk

OUT23 March 2015 March 2017 Audiology, Outpatients A Stepping Hill Hospital

Audiology, Outpatients A | Stepping Hill Hospital