Audiology (hearing)

About the service

The Audiologist carries out a range of tests on adults and children to determine the presence, nature and extent of hearing loss and balance disorders, enabling accurate clinical diagnosis in a range of hearing related conditions.

A further role includes the long term management and rehabilitation of the hearing impaired and those with tinnitus, many of whom require the support of hearing aids/communication equipment and counselling with respect to their hearing loss or tinnitus. 

Locations

The audiology service is available in the following locations:

• Belford Hospital Fort William
• Broadford Hospital, Skye
• Caithness General Hospital, Wick
• Dunbar Hospital, Thurso
• Fort William Health Centre
• Lawson Memorial Hospital, Golspie
• Portree Hospital, Skye
• Raigmore Hospital, Inverness (main base)
• Ross Memorial Hospital, Dingwall

Hearing aid repairs

Hearing aid repairs are appointment-only.  Please use the phone or email contacts provided above and we can arrange for advice and support on any queries you may have concerning your hearing aid or your hearing. 

A postal service is available for batteries and hearing aid repairs. If you are having trouble with your hearing aids they can be serviced or repaired by posting to:

The Audiology Department
Zone 3, Raigmore Hospital
Old Perth Road
INVERNESS
IV2 3UJ

Please enclose a covering letter quoting your name, date of birth and a brief description of the issues you are experiencing. Securely wrap the hearing aids for sending and please ensure there is sufficient postage or your package will be delayed in reaching us.

When the hearing aid arrives, the audiologists will inspect it, carry out the necessary maintenance and then send them back to you First Class. If the aid is beyond repair it will be replaced.

This whole process is usually done within 2 weeks. If this fails to give adequate results for you, the audiologist would look at making an in-person appointment.

If you have a faulty hearing aid and would prefer an appointment at the clinic, please contact us using the email address or phone number provided above.

Replacement items

Please allow at least 14 days from the receipt of a confirmation email for replacement items to arrive.

Drop-in centres for NHS hearing aid batteries

Local services are available for battery re-supply. See also Deaf services drop-in centres for other equipment.

• Brora: Brora Health Centre
• Dingwall: Ross Memorial Hospital
• Dornoch: Dornoch Medical Practice
• Fort William: Lochaber Sensory Care - Caol Shopping Centre, Caol PH33 7DR
• Gairloch: Gairloch Pharmacy
• Golspie: Golspie Health Centre
• Helmsdale: Helmsdale Surgery
• Inverness: Inverness Hearing Centre - 5 Strothers Lane IV1 1LR
• Kinlochleven: Kinlochleven Medical Practice
• Kyle of Lochalsh: Kyle Medical Practice
• Lochinver: Assynt Centre - Assynt Community Care Unit, Kirk Road IV27 4LT
• Newtonmore: Main's House - Main Street PH20 1DF
• Portree: Portree Community Hospital
• Thurso: Community Care Unit - Sinclair Court, Melvich KW14 7YL
• Thurso: Dunbar Hospital
• Thurso: The Sensory Centre - 9 Riverside Place KW14 8BZ
• Ullapool: Ullapool Medical Practice
• Wick: Caithness General Hospital
• Wick: The Sensory Centre - Telford Street KW1 5EQ