Audiology

Covid-19 Restrictions

All patients are required to have a pre-booked appointment to attend the department.

We are no longer accepting walk-in battery collection or issuing new tubing over the counter.

Please ring or email the department to arrange an appointment for a service or battery collection. If you require batteries or tubing sent out in the post we would kindly ask you to send in your brown battery booklet to the audiology department with a pre-paid stamp and a note with what is required.

When entering the department please adhere to the following guidelines:

  • Attend the department alone

  • Only one parent accompany a child to their appointment

  • Wear a face covering (masks available at the entrance to outpatients if needed)

  • Follow the one way system in place in the outpatients department

  • Do NOT arrive early for your appointment as you may be asked to wait outside until 5 minutes before your appointment time

If you require an interpreter or carer to attend your appointment then please contact us before the day and this can be arranged.

We are based at Airedale Hospital in the main outpatients department (location A1, clinic 2). The department has three sound proof rooms for conducting hearing tests and three consulting rooms for hearing aid fittings, repairs and rehabilitation. A workshop is also available to carry out any ear mould modifications required.

We fit digital hearing aids to people with a diagnosed hearing impairment, with new patients being referred into the service from their own GP or via the ear, nose and throat (ENT) department.

New adult patients will have their hearing assessed in a sound proof room by a senior member of staff. Existing patients can access the service at any time, by phoning the department directly and arranging a convenient appointment time.

Community clinics

We also offer community based clinics at the following sites:

  • Bingley Health Centre

  • Ilkley Coronation Hospital

  • Keighley Health Centre

  • Castleberg Hospital, Settle

  • Skipton General Hospital

Not all appointment types can be performed at all these sites and you may be required to attend Airedale for your initial visit.

Adults with learning difficulties

We provide a service specifically for adults with any form of disabilities or complex needs. This service is vital when routine adult appointments would not be suitable for the patient. All appointments have a flexible approach, offering adaption to hearing assessments and providing support regarding hearing aids and hearing loss.

Patients, family members, carers or any other professionals can request for the patient to be seen by the adults with learning disabilities team. The patient will be seen for all assessments by a senior member of staff. All current patients within this group are able to contact the department directly to arrange an appointment.

Please contact Olivia Bailey, senior audiologist if you have any questions about the service on 01535 293646.

Private hearing aid service

Two of our audiologists, Andy Smethurst and Katie Davenport, are registered hearing aid dispensers with the HCPC, and are able to offer a range of competitively priced hearing aids from one of the world’s leading manufacturers. The private hearing aids include premium ranges that have wireless technology and connectivity to work with some mobile phones and accessories.

Airedale private hearing aids information leaflet

For more information about the private hearing aid service, please contact the department on 01535 293646 or email private.audiology@anhst.nhs.uk

Videos

You can watch videos all about the different kinds of hearing aids, how to fit them and lots of advice about adapting to wearing hearing aids, communication tactics, looking after them and troubleshooting. Find them on the C2Hear website here.

Audiology adult user feedback group

Here at Airedale we have an adult hearing aid user feedback group which meets bi-annually. The group was established to gain feedback from our patients to ensure that we are providing the best possible service and that we are meeting the needs of all our patients. A patient centred approach is at the forefront of our department and we aim to deliver a service that reflects this. Any of our patients are welcome to attend.

For more information please contact Katie Davenport or Wendy Layard on 01535 293 646.

The group takes place in our education centre and the next session is planned for:

Thursday 12 November 2020 2pm to 4pm (subject to government recommendation on group meetings)