Audiology
The department is closed from 12pm on Thursday 28 July due to staff training. Normal service will resume at 8.30am on Friday 29 July.
Patients can contact us on email or telephone contact at that point. During the closure period they can email on dhc.audiologyenquiries@nhs.net
However our response times may be delayed.
Apologies for any inconvenience caused.
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, please see below for more details. If you contact us we can post batteries to you.
From 1 April we will require postage so please post you brown book 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, from 1 April we will require postage. You need to post your brown book 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 you will receive an appointment within six weeks of audiology receiving the referral.
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
Please be advised we are experiencing a high volume of calls at this time and we are working to answer your calls as quickly as possible.
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. You may wish to access the telephone hearing test as a screening procedure prior to referral.
If you call 0844 800 3838, you will be asked for a few details and then you can complete a hearing test over the telephone. This will give you some indication as to whether there is an issue with your hearing.
Self-help hearing aid videos
Service information
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 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)
WiFi: Yes
Parking: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
Opening Times:
- from 09.00 to 16.30 for walk in repairs
- from 08.45 to 16.45 for booked appointments
Audiology (Bournemouth - Pelhams Clinic)
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)
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)
WiFi: No
Parking: No
Disabled Access: No
Open Hours: 0845 - 1615 Thursdays by appointment only
Audiology (Swanage - Swanage Hospital)
WiFi: No
Parking: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
Open Hours: 0845 - 1615 by appointment only
Audiology (Wareham - Wareham Health Centre)
WiFi: Yes
Parking: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
Open Hours: from 08.45 to 16.15 by appointment only
Audiology (Wimborne - Victoria Hospital)
WiFi: Yes
Parking: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
Open Hours: 08.45 - 16.15 Fridays by appointment only