RNID: For deaf and hard of hearing people.

Getting an appointment

If you have never had an NHS hearing aid before, you first need to see your local GP (family doctor) who will probably refer you to an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist or the audiology department at a hospital near you.

An NHS hearing aid is provided free of charge on loan for as long as you need it.

You may have to wait several weeks or even months for your first appointment at the audiology department. After that you will have another (shorter) wait before being fitted with your hearing aid.

You will usually need to go for three appointments:

  1. Your first appointment  is to test your hearing and decide what you need.
  2. Your second appointment is to fit your hearing aid(s) and show you how to use it (them).
  3. Your third appointment  is to check how you are getting on and make any adjustments that are needed.

You can take someone with you at each appointment if you would like to.

Use of NHS hearing aids

An NHS hearing aid is provided to you free of charge on loan for as long as you need it. Although the aid is yours to use, it remains the property of the NHS.

Hearing aid batteries, repairs and replacements are free of charge, although you may be charged if the hearing aid is damaged through misuse.

The NHS cannot help with payment for privately purchased aids. NHS and private services are completely separate.

If you have an NHS hearing aid and do not use it, no longer need it, or are leaving the country for an extended period, you should return your aid to your local audiology department.

Futher information

For more information on NHS hearing aids, read our factsheet on "The NHS hearing aid service".