Hearing loss

Are you having problems hearing?

If you are having problems with your hearing, and you have not already done so, you should  visit your doctor as soon as possible and if necessary, a referral will be made to Ear Nose and Throat or Audiology specialists

Registration

Registering as deaf or hard of hearing may entitle you to some concessions and benefits, for example, reduced travel costs on buses and trains. Adult Services can carry out the registration once a permanent hearing loss has been established  by a specialist.

How Adult Services can help

Adult Services Sensory Teams will identify the help that you need and provide training, support and advice about solutions to everyday problems. We can also assess the need for equipment and where this can be purchased, and if the Eligibility Criteria is met, we can also supply some items of equipment.

Other sources of help

• Sensory Loss Services teams will identify the help you need and provide training to help you find solutions to everyday problems. Also contact details for Portsmouth and Southampton
• Lipreading and Lipspeakers - including classes to develop skills for lipreading and details on where to find lipspeakers
• Specialist equipment and resources - including hearing aids, doorbells, telephones, emails, TV equipment and alarms
• Clubs for people with a hearing loss- for both support and counselling advice
• Help for deaf sign language users - with details of the Deaf Services team (who can provide information and advice) and the Interpreting Services (including hospital and doctor interpreting service )

Getting involved

Physical and sensory impairment reference groups

In partnership with Hampshire Coalition of Disabled People, the Adult Services Department has set up 3 Reference Groups, each consisting of up to 20 people who use our services or care for people who do. Each group meets in one of the three main areas of the county. These groups each meet 3 or 4 times a year with the Adult Services Commissioning Team. The purpose is to develop and continue a two way discussion on what, as a Department, we commission for the future in respect of services for people with a physical and/or sensory impairment.

The notes of these meetings are on the Hampshire Coalition website. If you want to get more involved or simply comment please contact either hcodp@btinternet.com or geoff.woollan@hants.gov.uk tel: 01962 847266