We supply a variety of different hearing aids; all are top of the range NHS digital hearing aids and suitable for a range of hearing losses.

We are able to advise on cochlear implants and bone-anchored hearing aids (BAHA).

Your audiologist will explain to you which hearing aid is most suitable for your hearing levels.

You will either have a open fitting (corda) earpiece or a custom-made earmould earpiece.

Using your hearing aid

Hearing aids take time to get used to:     

  • It's normal for the world to sound 'different' for a while
  • Background noise does become less intrusive over time
  • To get the most from your hearing aids you will need to wear them on a consistent basis

Insertion

It's important that you know how to insert and remove your hearing aid correctly.

To help you put your hearing aids in the correct ears there is a blue marker in the battery drawer of the left hearing aid and a red marker in the battery drawer of the right hearing aid:

  • Blue = left
  • Red = right

For help with insertion, please see our Hearing Aid Instructional Videos.

Phone use

To give better hearing on the phone when using your hearing aid you will need to hold the receiver approximately 25mm (1 in) above your ear and 13mm (0.5 in) from your ear.

Alternatively, you can use the 'loudspeaker' function on your phone.

For help with this, please see our Hearing Aid Instructional Videos.

Turning on and off

It's important to turn your hearing aids off at night: you do this by opening the battery drawer.

For help with this, please see our Hearing Aid Instructional Videos.

Lost aid fee

Please ensure that you keep your hearing aids safe as they are NHS property and on loan to you.

A non-refundable charge for the replacement of a lost or severely damaged hearing aid is £135 per digital hearing aid, which is to cover the cost of the additional appointments.

The fee does not apply for paediatrics and transition patients.

Batteries

We do not supply batteries from our reception desk, but they are available from:

Great Western Hospital

Batteries can now be collected from the Volunteer Desk on the Lower Ground Floor of the Brunel Treatment Centre opposite the café.

  • Monday-Friday, 10.00am-4.00pm

Savernake Hospital, Marlborough

From the Outpatient reception:

  • Monday-Friday: 9.00am-12.00pm and 2.00pm-4.00pm

Fairford Hospital

From the Reception desk:

  • Monday: 9.00am-2.30pm
  • Tuesday and Thursday: 9.00am-4.00pm

Please bring your record card with you for the issue of batteries.

If you do not have a record card please contact us.

Please also bring any used batteries for disposal with you.

Family members can also collect your batteries; they will need to bring your record card. 

By post

Batteries can also be obtained through the post.

Please include a First or Second Class large value letter stamp for the return of batteries

Used batteries can no longer be sent through the post, they should be disposed of at a local recycling point.

Cleaning and Maintenance

It's important that you keep your hearing aids clean and free from dust and wax.

If your hearing aids become blocked, it can affect the sound quality of the hearing aids.

Use a cloth to wipe the surface of the hearing aid.

It's important that the hearing aid microphones don't get blocked; hairspray can block them.

The earmould should be cleaned every evening with a tissue or a non-perfumed wipe.

Any debris or wax in the earmould can be unblocked with a hearing aid cleaning tool or something similar such as a pin or cocktail stick.

For open fitting (corda) tubes: the open fitting dome can be cleaned using a tissue or a non perfumed wipe.

The hearing aid can be unblocked using the cleaning wire provided.

Please see your hearing aid instruction booklet and our Hearing Aid Instructional Videos.

Hearing aid tubing

We recommend that you book a hearing aid 'servicing' appointment every 6-9 month to ensure that the hearing aid is working correctly.

Old tubing can affect the sound quality of the hearing aids and so should be changed every 6-9 months. 

It can be replaced by your audiologist; please contact us if an appointment is required.

You can also replace the tubing yourself.

Your audiologist can issue tubing, or it can be collected from the Volunteers desk at the WRVS Lounge (please see 'Batteries' above).

For help with tubing, please see our Hearing Aid Instructional Videos.

If you have an open fitting (corda) hearing aid, the tubing should also be replaced every 6-9 months; these can be obtained from your audiologist.

Troubleshooting

To keep your hearing aids working well it is important that you can detect potential problems:

  • If there is no sound from a hearing aid or the hearing aid sounds quiet it is important to ensure that the tubing is not blocked with wax or debris.
  • The tubing may need changing if it has become hard and brittle and they may also require new batteries.
  • If the hearing aid is whistling the earmould or open fitting tube may not be inserted correctly.

Alternatively it may be that you have ear wax which is causing feedback, in which case we recommend arranging an appointment at your GP practice.

It's normal for your hearing aid to whistle if your hand is placed on the microphone area of the hearing aid.

If you're still having a problem with your hearing aid, please contact us to book a repair appointment:

Adults
Tel: 01793 604065
Email: gwh.audiology.dept@nhs.net

Paediatrics
Tel: 01793 696640

Please see also our Hearing Aid Instructional Videos.

Repair appointments

We run a 'booked' repair service so please contact the department to book an appointment as we do not have a 'walk in service'.

Hearing aids can be dropped off or posted to us for repair.

Hearing aids posted in for repair are the responsibility of the patient.

Please write your return address on the back of the package and use Post Office Special Delivery only.

Please enclose your details and return postage (a large letter stamp) if you would like the hearing aids returned to you by post.

Alternatively, they can be collected from the Audiology Reception desk.

Loop (Telecoil) system

A loop (Telecoil) function can be added to your hearing aids to help you hear in public places with a Telecoil sign e.g. banks, post offices, theatres and meeting halls.

You can also purchase phones with this function, and loop systems for your TV.

Speak to your audiologist for further information. 

Connectline Products - the Streamer Pro and accessories

The Streamer Pro is a device worn around the neck, designed to complement the hearing aids supplied by us.

It can be used as a remote to control your hearing aids, and turn your hearing aids into a wireless headset that can be used in a variety of listening situations, including:

  • Mobile phone
  • TV
  • Microphone
  • Computer/ tablet
  • Video conversation
  • Landline telephone

If you're interested in purchasing a Connectline product, or would like more information, please speak to your audiologist.