Social work

If you need help with day to day living, then you may need support from the specialist social work service for hard of hearing people. You don’t need a referral from a health professional, you can contact Social Care Direct yourself. This service operates for Deaf BSL users too, and also accepts complex cases where the main reason for the difficulties is the person’s hearing loss.

Phone: 0131 200 2324 or email Social Care Direct

You can also contact Deaf Action directly

Phone: 0131 556 3128
SMS: 07775 620757
Email Social Care at Deaf Action

 

Lothian Deaf mental health service

Helps people deal with emotional and practical problems associated with deafness. You can self refer to this service.

Phone: 0131 556 3128
SMS: 07815 637 019 or 07815 637 024
Email Lothian deaf mental health service

 

Lothian Deaf counselling service

Lothian Deaf counselling service provides counselling for:

• hard of hearing people
• deafened people
• deafblind people
• Deaf British Sign Language (BSL) users.

You can self refer or be referred to the service. The service is delivered by Health In Mind.

Visit Health In Mind for more information.

 

NHS Lothian Edinburgh audiology clinic

Special Covid-19 service in operation 

If you are not already an existing audiology patient you’ll need a referral from your GP to get your hearing tested. Once you have a hearing aid, you can get in touch with audiology directly without the need for a GP referral.

The clinic is open Monday to Thursday from 8.30am to 5pm and Friday 8.30am to 4pm at:

Level 1
Lauriston Building
Lauriston Place
Edinburgh
EH3 9EN.

Phone: 0131 536 1637 (weekdays 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm)
Email audiology

 

Hearing aid repair clinics

These clinics are running at a reduced face to face service. However, there is a drop box available on the 1st floor of Lauriston Building opposite the audiology reception. Put your hearing aid in an envelope with a note of your name, date of birth and a short description of the problem and it will be repaired and sent back to you.

The postal repair service is available as normal for maintenance and repair of faulty hearing aids. You must ensure you:

• use correct postage
• write your address on the back of the envelope
• include your aids, name and date of birth and a short description of the problem inside the envelope.

Do not use a standard first or second class stamp to post aids to the department.

If you are unable to access any of these repair options, please contact the audiology department for details of the volunteer support service.

 

New hearing aid mould

If you need a new mould, contact the audiology department.

 

Looking after your hearing aid

 

Facebook page

Visit NHS Lothian’s audiology Facebook page for information on hearing loss.

 

Hearing aid batteries

Special Covid-19 service in operation

To get supplies of batteries you can contact the audiology department in Lauriston Building. You can find their details in the NHS Lothian Edinburgh audiology clinic section.

Batteries are also available from:

• Deaf Action, 49 Albany St, Edinburgh EH1 3QY. Email Deaf Action for assistance
• libraries; many libraries have now reopened, view the libraries opening statement for further information, details of services available and what to expect when you visit
• some health centres, community centres, GP surgeries and Council day services; contact them directly to check

 

Recycling points

Recycle hearing aid batteries by putting them on top of your blue recycling box in a plastic bag or take them to a supermarket or shop. Find your local battery recycling point.

 

Cochlear implants

The Scottish cochlear implant programme is based at University Hospital Crosshouse in Kilmarnock. If you’re looking for information on cochlear implants please contact the centre:

Phone: 01563 827 323 
SMS: 07824 598 277
Email the cochlear implant service

Visit the Scottish cochlear implant programme website for more information.

Please contact the Scottish cochlear implant programme for more information on their support group:

• FOCUS (Friends of Cochlear implant Users Scotland)

Two other peer support groups specifically for cochlear implant recipients in the UK are:

• NCIUA (National Cochlear Implant Users Association)
• CICS (Cochlear Implanted Children’s Support Group)

 

Private audiology services

You can check the British Society of Hearing Aid Audiologist’s website to search for a private audiologist.

 

 

Find more information and contacts for services across Edinburgh by selecting from the options below.