Audiology

Due to staff shortages, there may be longer waits for us to answer your telephone calls at this time.

If you do not want to wait, you can email any queries to dhc.audiologyenquiries@nhs.net

Apologies for any inconvenience caused.

Our clinics are open for booked appointments only.  If you do have an appointment please read the information on the appointment letter carefully before attending. If you do not have an appointment you will not be able to access our service.

All walk-in repairs clinics remain closed.

If you need batteries for your hearing aids, they can be collected free from most GP surgeries on presentation of your brown book or battery card, please see below for more details. If you contact us we can post batteries to you.

From 1 April 2022 we require postage so please post your brown book or battery card to us with a stamp addressed envelope with two first or second class stamps.

If you need Cora tubes and domes, they are only available from Shelley Road, you can come to pick them up or we can post them to you. We will require postage. You need to post your brown book or battery card to us with postage for a small package.  

If you are having issues with your hearing aid please post it to us and we will repair it for you, or you can book an appointment to drop your hearing aid in to Shelley Road.

If you are a new patient and a referral has been made to our service for you to have an assessment of your hearing, please be advised that our waiting list is currently around three months for an appointment.

The team is on hand to support queries over the phone. If you need help or advice please call 0300 303 8640 or email at dhc.audiologyenquiries@nhs.net

If a patient no longer requires their hearing aids, please be advised that you can return these to us by post, or you can hand them in at your GP surgery and they will send them to us via the internal mail.

Hearing aids remain NHS property and it is helpful if you could return them if they are no longer used, as it is sometimes possible to recondition them.

Hearing services

We provide services for adults and children who are affected by hearing loss, distressing tinnitus and balance disorders.

Our audiology staff provide a range of support at clinics across Dorset, including hearing assessments, hearing aid fittings, follow-ups and repairs, tinnitus counselling and balance assessment/treatment.

We also run specialist clinics for children, adults with learning disabilities and people with particularly distressing symptoms of tinnitus or vertigo.

In addition to our staff, we have trained volunteers who can visit people in their own homes and in day centres to provide help with using hearing aids.

If you, or a loved one, would like to access the audiology service, please speak to your GP. 

Self-help hearing aid videos

Lost hearing aids

Hearing aids and tinnitus sound generators are issued to patients on a loan basis, and remain the property of the NHS. If the equipment is lost through carelessness or damaged through misuse a charge will apply.  This charge is reviewed on a yearly basis and some exemptions to these charges may apply.

When a hearing aid is first issued to a patient, they will be advised by the audiologist that the equipment they have just received is on loan, and that loss of the equipment or damage through misuse may result in a charge per hearing aid.  Patients are asked to sign a hearing aid fit agreement form which will be countersigned by the audiologist and attached to a patients electronic record. This form will be completed at the first fitting and also at further reassessment appointments / hearing aid upgrades.

If a patient loses or damages their hearing aids they must attend a repair clinic to begin the process of replacing the hearing aid, unless they are a patient who receives domiciliary audiology appointments.  If the patient telephones the department regarding a lost aid, they should be advised at this time that there may be a charge for replacing the hearing aid.

Where to access the service:

Please see below for our clinic locations.

Contact us on 0300 303 8640 or email dhc.audiologyenquiries@nhs.net for more information)

If you are registered with West Dorset Audiology and would like to contact the audiology department at Dorset County Hospital, email audiology@dchft.nhs.uk or phone 01305 255563.

If you would like information on the medical assessment and treatment of non-complicated ear, nose and throat conditions, including information regarding wax removal, visit our ear, nose and throat (ENT) service pages.

Locations

Audiology (Bournemouth - Boscombe, Shelley Road)

11 Shelley Road,
Boscombe,
Bournemouth,
BH1 4JQ

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WiFi: Yes

Parking: Yes

Disabled Access: Yes

Opening Times:
- from 08.45 to 16.45 for booked appointments

Audiology (Bournemouth - Pelhams Clinic)

Pelhams Community Clinic,
Pelhams Park,
Millhams Road,
Bournemouth,
BH10 7LH

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WiFi: No

Parking: Yes

Disabled Access: Yes

Open Hours: Monday to Friday from 09.00 to 16.30 by appointment only

Audiology (Poole - Poole NHS Healthcare Centre, Dolphin Centre)

Store 10,
190-196 High Street,
Poole,
BH15 1SX

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WiFi: No

Parking: Yes

Disabled Access: Yes

Open Hours: Appointments only. Friday from 08:45 to 16:45.

Audiology (Poole - Upton Health Centre, Adam Practice)

Blandford Road North,
Upton,
Poole,
BH16 5PW

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WiFi: No

Parking: No

Disabled Access: No

Open Hours: 0845 - 1615 Thursdays by appointment only


Audiology (Swanage - Swanage Hospital)

32 Queens Road,
BH19 2ET

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WiFi: No

Parking: Yes

Disabled Access: Yes

Open Hours: 0845 - 1615 by appointment only

Audiology (Wareham - Wareham Health Centre)

Streche Road,
Wareham,
BH20 4PG

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WiFi: Yes

Parking: Yes

Disabled Access: Yes

Open Hours: from 08.45 to 16.15 by appointment only

Audiology (Wimborne - Victoria Hospital)

Wimborne Hospital,
Victoria Road,
Wimborne,
BH21 1ER

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WiFi: Yes

Parking: Yes

Disabled Access: Yes

Open Hours: 08.45 - 16.15 Fridays by appointment only

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