Hearing aid

Hearing aids are available free of charge through the NHS. After a hearing test, audiologists will recommend the best type of hearing aid suitable for the hearing loss.

All outpatient audiology assessments are carried out at the BGH. There is no domiciliary audiology service in NHS Borders, however for certain patients, assessments of needs can be carried out by Sensory Services from the Borders Council. This would be arranged via the audiology service if appropriate.

The NHS Borders Audiology service does not provide any servicing to hearing aids obtained through private services or dispensers. This differs from services in England where NHS hearing aids are provided through private providers in some cases. If a patient has not previously been seen by NHS Borders Audiology service they would need to be referred for a new patient assessment regardless of whether they have previously had hearing aids provided through the private sector or a different NHS Healthboard.

RNID’s Near You Service

The RNID run free drop in maintenance sessions in a variety of community locations in Borders. Their volunteers can support patients with:

Hearing aids, including basic repairs and maintenance of NHS hearing aids
Information on hearing loss and tinnitus.
How to access support and local services.
How to do a hearing check - suitable for people who think they may have a hearing loss.

For information on where these sessions are taking place please refer to the NHS Borders website or facebook page which is updated monthly. Hearing Aid Repairs and Maintenance.

For further information about RNID drop in services please contact: sian.bertram@rnid.org.uk

Who to refer, who not to refer, how to refer

Referral Guidance

If someone aged over 16 has hearing loss and may require a hearing aid, please refer through the hearing loss pathway RefHelp page.

For those aged under 16 and still in full time education who may require a hearing aid, they will be seen through the paediatric pathway, with complex paediatric patients and those under 5s being redirected to NHS Lothian for assessment.

Who to refer:

Anyone with symptomatic hearing loss who wishes to be considered for a hearing aid. Please note that those under 5 years of age will be seen by NHS Lothian.

Who not to refer:

Anyone with hearing loss and red flag symptoms who should be referred to ENT instead. Please note that patients should not be referred if hearing loss is entirely due to occlusive wax, which should be managed in line with primary care guidance.

How to refer:

By SCI Gateway to Audiology, NHS Borders:

Borders General Hospital -> Audiology -> Borders General Referral

Resources and links

Hearing Aid Repairs and Maintenance

Royal National Institute for Deaf People