About this factsheet

This factsheet is part of RNID’s South East range. You will find it useful if you are deaf and want to find out about trying out equipment. We use the term 'deaf' throughout to refer to all types of hearing loss.

Read this factsheet to find out:

How can special equipment help me?

Special equipment can help you in everyday situations, such as:

Do you have difficulty using small, awkward or heavy equipment?

Nowadays a lot of equipment has tiny and often quite fiddly buttons and other controls. Sometimes equipment will just be an awkward shape or maybe it's too heavy for you to use. If you have these sort of difficulties it is particularly important to try out equipment first before you buy. Check:

Where can I go to try out equipment?

Many audiology clinics, hearing therapists, hearing service centres and social services departments have equipment for people to try. Normally, you have to make an appointment to try out the equipment. To find out where you can try out equipment near you, contact the RNID Information Line.

Mobile Advisory Services

These services travel around your area and have equipment for you to look at and try out.

NDCS Listening Bus

The National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS) Listening Bus aims to reach deaf children and their families in local areas. It has examples of the latest technology available for children and adults. Staff on the bus can give you advice about getting and using equipment and give you information about the NDCS Technology service. To arrange a visit, or to find out when the Listening Bus is in your area, contact:
NDCS helpline: 0808 800 8880
Textphone: 0808 800 8880
Fax: 0207 251 5020
Email: helpline@ndcs.org.uk

deafPLUS Mobile Advisory Service

A deafPLUS Mobile Advisory service covers areas in the South East. The service can give you information about hearing loss and is staffed by members of deafPLUS. To find out if the vehicle is in your area, or to book it, contact:

deafPLUS London

deafPLUS Ealing and Hammersmith, 2 Erconwald Street, East Acton, London W12 0BS.
Telephone: 0208 749 4111
Textphone: 0208 749 8186
Videophone: 0208 749 7854
Fax: 0208 749 4111
Email: london.ealing@deafPLUS.org

Drop-in times: Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10.00am to 12.00pm.

deafPLUS Tower Hamlets, Trinity Centre, Key Close, Whitechapel, London E1 4HG.
Telephone: 0207 790 8478
Textphone: 0207 791 0105
Videophone: 0207 790 7453
Fax: 0207 790 8478
Email: london.tower.hamlets@deafPLUS.org

Drop-in times: Mondays and Tuesdays from 10.00am to 1.00pm, Thursdays and Fridays from 2.00pm to 4.00pm.

deafPLUS South

deafPLUS Aldershot Office, Princes Gardens, 2a High Street, Aldershot, Hampshire GU11 1BJ.
Telephone: 01252 313882
Textphone: 01252 313882
Videophone: 01252 310041
Fax: 01252 337546
Email: south@deafPLUS.org

deafPLUS Farnborough Office, 67 Albert Road, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 6SL.
Telephone: 01252 510051
Textphone: 01252 510051
Videophone: 01252 372978
Fax: 01252 524642
Email: south@deafPLUS.org

Services in your area

Bedfordshire

The Disability Resource Centre

A countrywide disability information service for disabled people, their families, carers, friends and associated professionals. The centre also has an equipment display area where you can see and try out equipment. Staff are on hand to give advice and general guidance on the suitability of equipment.

The centre's opening hours are Monday to Friday from 10.00am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 4.00pm. There is a drop-in session on Wednesdays from 10.00am to 3.00pm.
The Disability Resource Centre, Poynters House, Poynters Road, Dunstable, Bedfordshire LU5 4TP.
Telephone: 01582 470900
Fax: 01582 470959
Email: drcbeds@cwcom.net

Buckinghamshire

RNID Equipment Assessment Service for Children and Adults

An information service for children and adults which provides information, assessments, equipment demonstrations and loans.
RNID Equipment Service Office, Brookside Resource Centre, Station Way, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire HP20 2SQ.
Telephone: 01296 437175
Textphone: 01296 436722
Fax: 01296 436358
Email: manandrews@bucks.cc.gov.uk

Cambridge

Cambridge Campaign for Tackling Acquired Deafness (CAMTAD)

CAMTAD provides volunteers who are trained to maintain hearing aids, make home visits and help with environmental equipment on behalf of social services. CAMTAD has a mobile unit with up-to-date equipment. The group also holds talks with demonstrations and group meetings.
CAMTAD, 8a Romsey Terrace, Cambridge CB1 3NH.
Telephone: 01223 416 41
Textphone: 01223 416141
Email: sueh@camtad.freeserve.co.uk

Essex

Royal Association in Aid of Deaf People (RAD)

The resource centre is open to the public for demonstrations on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10am-3pm. You don't need to make an appointment.
RAD, St. Mark's Centre for Deaf People, Cottage Place, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 1NL.
Telephone: 01245 283777
Textphone: 01245 257704
Fax: 01245 346609

Hertfordshire

Hertfordshire Hearing Advisory Service

The display centre is open to the public for demonstrations on Wednesdays from 10am-12pm and Thursdays from 2pm-4pm. Many items are available for short term loan. You don't have to make an appointment, but if these times aren't convenient for you, you can contact the centre to arrange an appointment or ask for a visit by a specially trained volunteer.
Philip Linnegar, Chief Officer, The Woodside Centre, The Commons, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire AL7 4SE.
Telephone: 01707 324582
Textphone: 01707 324582 or 01707 375486
Fax: 01707 390644

There are four outreach drop-in sessions:

Isle of Wight

Sound Advice

Together with the local authority, Sound Advice offers a support service to deaf people on the Isle of Wight. A large selection of assistive devices can be demonstrated, bought or issued, depending on your circumstances. Support can also be given with hearing aid maintenance.
We can see people in our office or in their own homes. The office is usually manned in the mornings but you should telephone beforehand to ensure that the correct information and advice is available for your needs.
Sound Advice, 17b River Way, Newport, Isle of Wight PO30 5UX
Telephone: 01983 529533
Textphone: 01983 529998
Fax: 01983 533100
Email: soundadvice.iow@rnid.org.uk

Kent

Bexley Deaf Centre

A resource centre for the deaf, deafened and hard of hearing people and their families. There are equipment demonstrations, NHS hearing aid repairs, local home visits, communication classes and deaf awareness training. The centre is a venue for local deaf and hard of hearing groups to meet. There is also a weekly job club. This is a drop-in and appointments service.
Bexley Deaf Centre, Whitehall Lane, Slade Green, Kent DA8 2DH.
Telephone: 01322 351122
Textphone/fax: 01322 339428
Email: bexleydeafcentre@fsmail.net

Hi Kent

An independent charity working in partnership with both Kent Council and Medway Council Social Services. Hi Kent have three Resource Centres offering free advice, equipment demonstrations, and hearing aid maintenance. We also operate a network of hearing aid clinics and a home visiting service throughout the County and Medway. We provide an assessment service on behalf of Social Services for the over 65s in the Kent and Medway Council areas, and maybe able to provide equipment to eligible clients. We also provide Deaf Awareness Training and Sign Language Courses to BSL Level 2.

Contact us at:

Maidstone (Head Office)
18 Brewer Street, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1RU
Telephone: 01622 691151
Fax: 01622 672436
Email: enquiries@hikent.uk
Website online shop: www.hikent.org.uk (external link)

Canterbury
East Kent Hi Centre, 46 Northgate, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 1BE
Telephone:  01227 760046
Fax: 01227 760068

Medway
Medway Resource Centre, Audiology Unit, Medway Maritime Hospital
Windmill Road, Gillingham, Kent, ME7 5NY
Telephone & Fax: 01634 825043

Queen Elizabeth's Foundation Resource Centre

An activity based resource centre for physically or sensory impaired adults between the ages of 16 to 65. Membership is organised through the social services disability team. There is also a complementary therapy clinic and a wheelchair workshop.
Queen Elizabeth Foundation Resource Centre, Brent Way, Dartford, Kent DA2 6DA.
Telephone: 01322 229 820
Textphone: 01322 290 728
Fax: 01322 279 904
Email: qefresourcecentre@dartford12.fsnet.co.uk

East Sussex

East Sussex Hearing Resource Centre

The centre is open to the public for demonstrations on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10am-4pm. Appointments are available outside these opening hours by arrangement with the centre manager. The centre provides deaf awareness training/communication tactics training and lipreading classes. There is also an outreach service to rural areas of the country.
East Sussex Hearing Resource Centre, 8, St Leonard’s Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex BN21 3UH.
Telephone: 01323 722 505
Textphone: 01323 722 505
Fax: 01323 722 505
info@eshrc.org.uk

West Sussex

West Sussex Deaf and Hard of Hearing Association

The service acts as a link to improve communication and ensure that deaf and hard of hearing people in the county and beyond get the services, care and equipment they need. The drop-in centre is open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9.30am-1.30pm and on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9.30am-4pm.
West Sussex Deaf and Hard of Hearing Association, 54 Hazelgrove Road, Haywards Heath RH16 3PH.
Telephone: 01444 415 582
Textphone: 01444 415 593
Fax: 01444 415 587
Email: wsdeaf@dial.pipex.com

West Sussex Deaf and Hard of Hearing Association volunteers also run a resource centre and hearing aid repair clinic. The centre is open to NHS users. Drop in hours are on Monday from 9.30am-11.30am for an initial session. For follow-up or more detailed visits you can make an appointment via the West Sussex Deaf and Hard of Hearing Association (see earlier). The clinic is held at:
Worthing Hospital audiology clinic, Lyndhurst Road, Worthing, West Sussex BN11 2DH.

London Boroughs

Brent

The Jewish Deaf Association

The association caters for the social, cultural, educational and welfare needs of Jewish deaf and hard of hearing people. Many of their services are for hard of hearing people of all faiths. There is a resource and technology room. Staff can offer free advice on equipment and there is a wide range of equipment on display. Visit is by appointment only, Monday to Thursday from 10.30am-4pm. The association provides many other services, which include advice, information, tinnitus information, support services, BSL classes, sign language practice, social group and counselling.
Jewish Deaf Association, Julius Newman House, Woodside Park Road, North Finchley N12 8RP.
Telephone: 0208 446 0502
Textphone: 0208 446 4037
Fax: 0208 445 7451
Email: jda@dircon.co.uk

Bromley

Bromley Deaf Access Centre

The centre has a permanent display of equipment. Assistance is on hand to provide demonstrations and supply further information. This is a drop-in centre (no appointment necessary) open Monday to Friday from 10am-4pm. The centre is available outside these hours by arrangement.
Deaf Access Centre, Community House, South Street, Bromley BR1 2RH.
Telephone: 0208 315 2550
Textphone: 0208 315 2552
Fax: 0208 315 2554

Croydon

Croydon Hard of Hearing Project

The centre provides information, advice and support for people with a hearing loss and/or who have tinnitus. It gives advice and assessments on environmental equipment, hearing aid maintenance, deaf awareness training, lipreading and British Sign Language (BSL) classes. There is also a social support group that meets every week. The centre has close links with Mayday Hospital's audiology department and can help to arrange appropriate appointments for hearing aid problems.
Croydon Hearing Resource Centre, 28 Sanderstead Road, South Croydon CR2 OPA.
Telephone: 0208 686 0049
Textphone: 0208 760 0096
Fax: 0208 686 7475

Harrow

Disability Living Foundation

Gives information and advice on disability equipment. You can contact them via a helpline, email and post. There are also occupational and physiotherapists on hand to give advice.
The disability equipment centre is open Monday to Friday from 10am- 3pm.
Information officer, Disability Living Foundation, 380-384 Harrow Road, London W9 2HU.
Helpline: 0845 130 9177
Telephone: 0207 289 6111
Textphone: 0207 7432 8009

Merton

Merton Hard of Hearing Resource Centre

Offers free impartial, confidential advice and support to deaf and hard of hearing people, their families, friends, carers and professionals. The centre covers all aspects of deafness. It will demonstrate equipment, exchange NHS batteries and provide general care of NHS hearing aids. The drop-in service is open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10am-2pm.
Merton Hard of Hearing Resource Centre, 8 Crown Parade, Crown Lane, Morden, Surrey SM4 5DA.
Telephone: 0208 540 1650
Textphone: 0208 540 4332
Fax: 0208 540 6861
Email: mhorhrc@btconnect.com

Redbridge

RNID Redbridge Sensory Services Centre

Offers support to deaf and hard of hearing and deafblind people who live in the borough of Redbridge. Its range of services includes:

There is a drop-in service on Monday to Friday from 9.30am-12.30pm. Afternoons by appointment only.

RNID Redbridge Sensory Services
10 Bourne Court
Southend Road
Woodford Green
Essex IG8 8HD
Tel: 020 8551 7700
Text: 020 8551 7766
Fax: 020 8551 7755
Email: redbridge@rnid.org.uk

Waltham Forest

Waltham Forest Disability Resource Centre

Provides activities for people with physical and sensory disabilities who live in the borough. It is open to members only, Monday to Friday from 10am-3.30pm. Anyone wishing to become a member must make an appointment for an interview.
Waltham Forest Disability Resource Centre, 1a Warner Road, Walthamstow, London E17 7DY.
Telephone: 0208 520 8347
Fax: 0208 520 7091
Email: m.elias@wfdrc.org.uk

Further information from RNID

You may be able to get help to pay for equipment. Contact the RNID Information Line for more information.
RNID Information Line, 19-23 Featherstone Street, London EC1Y 8SL.
Telephone: 0808 808 0123
Textphone: 0808 808 9000
Fax: 020 7296 8199
Email: informationline@rnid.org.uk
Website: www.rnid.org.uk (external link)

RNID South East

If you live in the south east, our regional team can offer you:

RNID South East
19-23 Featherstone Street, London EC1Y 8SL.
Telephone: 0207296 8000
Textphone: 0207 296 8382
Fax: 0207296 8199
Email: information.southeast@rnid.org.uk
Website: www.rnid.org.uk (external link)

Buying equipment

RNID Sound Advantage sells a range of equipment for deaf people. Visit www.rnid.org.uk/shop (external link) to buy some of the equipment online, or send off for a copy of the RNID Sound Advantage Solutions catalogue.
RNID Sound Advantage, Unit 1, Haddonbrook Business Centre, Fallodan Road, Orton Southgate, Peterborough PE2 6YX.
Telephone 01733 361199
Textphone 01733 238020
Fax 01733 361161
Email: solutions@rnid.org.uk