Specialist assessment and diagnosis for people with hearing loss and balance problems and provide appropriate support such as digital hearing aids and specialist advice.
How to access the service:
If you are registered with an east Surrey GP practice you can self-refer into First Community’s NHS Audiology (hearing) service if you’re eligible, without having to see your GP first.
If you have more urgent hearing issues, you may still need to see your GP to get a referral. However, you can check whether you are eligible to self-refer by answering a few questions about your hearing problem.
To find out if you’re eligible, please complete this online self-referral form.
If you require any support in completing the form or if a paper copy is required, the Audiology team can be contacted, and a paper form can be posted to you.
Once the self-referral form has been completed, and you are eligible, you will be contacted by a member of the team to confirm your appointment.
Contact the team:
Opening times: Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm
Telephone: 01293 600312
SMS Text: 07964 439 514
E-mail: fchc.audiology@nhs.net
What to expect
The below information outlines what to expect if you've been referred to the team. You may or may not go on to be fitted with a hearing aid, depedant on the outcome of your hearing assessment.
The service has waiting times for both routine and priority patients. If you feel you meet one of the below outlined priority criteria, please contact the team to discuss further.
- Blind / Partially sighted
- Patient with terminal illness
- Patient whose employment is at risk
- Severe to profound loss
- Living with significant cognitive decline (Such as dementia)
- Patients at psychological risk due to isolation
- Patients with mental health difficulties exacerbated by hearing loss, including tinnitus
- Patients Caring responsibilities
- Sudden change in hearing
- Parkinson’s disease (NICE guidance).
Requesting a Chaperone
If you would like a chaperone to be present during a consultation or physical examination, or if you would prefer to be examined by a health professional of the same gender as you, please let us know at the time of booking your appointment
Requesting further communication support
The Audiology team fully understand that you may have different communication needs. You may prefer to communicate in a language that is not English, you may use British Sign language, or you may be happier with written communication. We are here to support you, so please let a member of the team know on the contact details provided, how we can best support you in your chosen communication method.
Walk in retubing and battery replacements
The audiology service has suspended all walk in retubing and battery clinics. Replacement tubes and batteries are now being sent by post.
Please get in touch with the team using the contact details below for replacement tubes and batteries. A self-addressed envelope is not required, and items will be posted directly to you.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused by the closure of the clinics.
Feedback
The team values feedback at any stage of your Audiology journey. Visit: https://www.firstcommunityhealthcare.co.uk/involvement-feedback/compliments-and-complaints
Accreditations and additional information
Parking
Car parks at East Surrey, Crawley and Horsham Hospitals are pay and display. Car parking at Caterham Dene Hospital and the Village Surgery, Southwater are free but time limits may apply.
Audiology services are offered at: