Deaf services
Deaf services promote safety, independence, inclusion and as good a quality of life as possible for people in Highland who are Deaf, hard of hearing, deafened or deafblind.
Information on this page is mainly for people in the Highland HSCP area. For the Argyll and Bute HSCP area, read about Sensory Impairment Service at Argyll and Bute Council.
On this page
Important: Contacts
Main office location
4 Fodderty Way
Dingwall Business Park
Dingwall
IV15 9XB
- phone 01349 868 711
- mobile 07887 833 889
- email highland.deafservice@nhs.scot
How to access our services
You can access our services by self-referring (contact our office using details above) or you can be referred by another service or person who will contact us on your behalf.
About the service
Deaf services works to support people who have a hearing loss across Highland. We also work with those with a dual sensory loss.
We ensure that there is appropriate guidance and support to families, unpaid carers, and colleagues in partner agencies. We work in close liaison with clients, families and partner agencies including:
housing associations (for environmental equipment fittings)
We provide a reablement service for those with any kind of hearing loss, including specialist environmental assessments, and provision of and guidance with:
environmental aids
Deaf awareness
communication tactics
practical support
emotional support
providing carer advice, guidance and support
liaising with integrated community colleagues, partner agencies and specialist audiology services
The Deaf service team's range of services includes:
guidance to those with a hearing loss, including referrals to other services
assessments for environmental aids and equipment, which can help with hearing alarms (such as a fire alarm), the doorbell, the TV and conversations
British Sign Language (BSL) tuition for families who have a child with hearing loss, and NHS Highland staff
drop-in centres in various locations throughout the Highland area
training for individuals, services and groups in:
Deaf Awareness
Sight Loss Awareness
Deafblind Awareness
accredited BSL courses
other bespoke training courses and materials involving hearing and sight loss
a link worker service to local care homes, to promote and support good practice in sensory care, and support and guide care staff with the maintenance and care of hearing aids (including batteries and tubing), including the development of communication care plans
Important: My NHS hearing aid isn't working, what do I do?
Need a replacement battery?
NHS hearing aid batteries are available from:
Deaf Services
For NHS hearing aid users, Deaf Services can support with:
routine hearing aid maintenance
how to look after your hearing aid
demonstrations
helping you get the best from your hearing aids
Hearing aid maintenance refers to routine care and support to help keep hearing aids working effectively. This includes:
cleaning
basic checks
battery replacement
tubing, dome and filter replacement
Contact Deaf Services or visit a Deaf Services drop-in centre.
Audiology
For NHS hearing aid users, Audiology can support with:
repairing or replacing faulty hearing aids
battery replacement
Hearing aid repairs relate to hearing aids that are damaged, broken or faulty and may require specialist manufacturer repair or replacement. Examples include:
cracked hearing aids
broken battery doors
water damage
internal faults
hearing aids that have stopped working despite routine maintenance
Contact Audiology or visit an Audiology drop-in centre.
You can report a lost or damaged hearing aid using a form.
Questions and answers about lost or damaged hearing aids.
Deaf Services drop-in centres
These clinics offer routine maintenance and advice, as well as replacement hearing aid batteries - no appointment needed. Audiology drop-in centres also offer hearing aid batteries.
Important: Information in British Sign Language (BSL)
See a list of all British Sign Language (BSL) video content on this website, and on other websites including NHS inform:
British Sign Language (BSL) informationUseful links
- Hearing and Sight Care - providing free and confidential support to people with hearing and sight loss in Caithness
- Highland Deaf Children's Society - a group that helps families of deaf and hard of hearing children
- Lochaber Sensory Care is a charity providing a variety of practical and support services to those living with a sight or hearing loss in Lochaber
In-person services and locations
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