Due to Covid-19, the Audiology Department is working in different ways to make sure hearing aids can be adjusted, repaired or fitted with less need to come to the hospital. For example, we are able to do routine servicing of your hearing aids and provide new batteries via the post.
For people who have hearing aids from Wye Valley Trust (WVT) Audiology Department, see phone number on the right hand side of this page, or email audiology@wvt.nhs.uk (Monday to Friday) for free advice on how we can help.
Please do not come to the Audiology Department without an appointment, walk in repairs will no longer be available. However we may be able to offer you a booked repair appointment or another solution which can be arranged in advance, over the phone or via email.
For people who need a hearing test and haven’t seen us before, you will need to ask your GP for a referral to our service.
Below are some useful links to provide more information.
Drop in sessions with Deaf Direct– currently closed at all sites.
FREE Hearing loss badges for those struggling with communication due to face masks
If you, or anyone you know, is trying to cope with a hearing loss and face masks, we are able to provide free hearing loss badges. If you think one of these badges would help, please contact our audiology department and we will send one out to you (free of charge). Just let us know which badge is required as there is a choice of three as pictured right. Telephone 01432 372939 or email Audiology@wvt.nhs.uk
Useful links to videos that may help you with cleaning you hearing aid and replacing the tubing.
How to clean your slim tube hearing aid
How to clean your earmould hearing aid
Please note if you do not have the cleansing beaker and sieve as suggested in the video. Warm soapy water is fine.
How to replace your earmould tubing
C2 Hear online click here is a very useful website with lots of videos and information to help with your hearing aids.
Lockdown and managing tinnitus - From The British Tinnitus Association
As coronavirus continues to impact people across the UK and globally, what can you do to help manage tinnitus in these challenging times?
Many people find that their tinnitus increases during a time of stress and anxiety. It is understandable to be feeling more upset or worried at this time, but being able to manage your stress will help your overall wellbeing, and manage your tinnitus.
•Limit your viewing of news or social media – schedule times to check in to make sure you have the latest information, and then stop.
•Be mindful, and focus on controlling what you can control – washing your hands, keeping up with your tinnitus management techniques, and aspects of your daily routine.
•Understand that this too will pass, and you are not alone.
•Stay connected – phone calls, texts or video chats will help.
If you are feeling overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression or anxiety, or feel like you want to harm yourself or others, contact your GP, NHS 111 or Samaritans on 116 123.
Acknowledge that there will be change
Our standard advice for people with tinnitus is to keep doing the things you love and don’t let tinnitus restrict you. This is more challenging during a lockdown.
Follow official advice about movements and socialising. Acknowledge that the situation may change rapidly over the coming days and weeks. Retaining elements from your usual routine can be a comfort, but also be prepared for doing things in new ways.
There are still many other things that you can do to help manage your tinnitus:
•Wear your hearing aids – if you have hearing loss, hearing aids will help both your hearing and your tinnitus. Hearing aids don’t work in a drawer!
•Sound therapy – if the noises seem louder at night or quiet times, it may help to have some natural or gentle sound from an app, CD, sound generator or even a fan or ticking clock in the background.
•Relaxation – learning to relax properly is probably one of the most useful things you can do. Check out some of our information, including ideas for relaxation without sound. If you have a smart phone, there are some excellent free relaxation apps available.
•Take on Tinnitus – this is our free tinnitus management e-programme, which guides you through some facts about tinnitus and helps identify some simple strategies to keep it under control. You can find it here:
For the online forum events visit Bristish Tinnitus website for more information - please note they will be using Zoom for the below sessions, please ensure you have this service available on the device you plan on using for each event.
This 90-minute webinar will be co-hosted by Tinnitus Hub and will provide an update on current and future research projects our guest panel is working on. This webinar will also include a Q & A.
Reach out - If you need a friendly voice or understanding contact, we will continue to provide confidential tinnitus support throughout this period. Our helpline remains open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, and you can contact us in the following ways:
•Web chat – click the let’s chat icon on this page
•Text: 07537 416841
•Email: helpline@tinnitus.org.uk
You can also contact the Wye Valley NHS Trust audiology service if you have any concerns. We are contactable by telephone and email as detailed at the top of this page.
The Audiology department provides hearing assessment following a direct patient referral from a GP. They select, programme and fit digital hearing aids for adults and provide follow-up hearing aid consultations, hearing aid repair clinics and battery issue.
Reassessments are also available where necessary.
Audiology also provides support for ENT clinics, together with:
Head of Service Samantha Cooper
Chief Audiologist Nigel Perry
Clinical Scientist (Paediatric Audiology) Michelle Little
Senior Audiologist Alison Stather-Hooper
Senior Audiologist Charlotte Turtle
Senior Audiologist/Hearing Therapist Jacqueline Paddock
Senior Paediatric Audiologist Deborah Heath
Senior Audiologist - Rebecca Mould
Audiologist Gemma Knapman-Nuttall
Associate Audiological Practitioner Phillipa Evans
Senior Assistant Technical Officer (Paediatric Audiology) Debra Hollis
Senior Assistant Technical Officer Frank Anderson
Associate Audiological Practitioner Eleanor Brown
Admin lead Denise Prothero
Paediatric and children's hearing aid services are at Ross Road Clinic.
Any Qualified Provider Service (AQP)
Telephone: 01432 383100 (option 2 – Red Team, option 2 –ENT/audiology)
Email: audiology@wvt.nhs.uk