Our Adult Audiology service is based on two sites at the University Hospital of Wales, Heath, Cardiff and West Quay Medical Centre, Barry.
We have a large team of Audiologists who provide a range of specialist services to diagnose, treat and rehabilitate hearing loss and its associated disorders.
For a detailed description of the patient journey through Audiology click here.
Please see further guidance below for more information regarding your hearing aids and the services we provide.
Once you have been prescribed a hearing aid from an Audiologist they will provide you with a leaflet on the hearing aid.
Depending on your hearing loss you will have been given suitable hearing aid, for further information on our services please click the corresponding link below:
All our new hearing aids are compatible with smart phones (iPhone and Android) for further information on how to download and use the app please click the links below:
The BeMore App can be used to control the hearing aid, such as using the volume control. For further information and if you are unsure if your hearing aid is compatible with the app please contact us on Audiology.Helpline.CAV@wales.nhs.uk Phone: 02921 843179 or 07805670359 (text only)
We understand that communication with a hearing loss can be very difficult, for some further information and tips on how to communicate with hard of hearing individuals please click here
For some Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals learning British Sign Language (BSL) can be beneficial for developing communication. Please click the links below for beginners guides for learning BSL:
There are multiple support services available for those with a hearing loss.
If you cannot hear your fire alarm you may need a vibrating pad to be put under your pillow or flashing lights installed in your home.
Your local fire service will fit this for you free of charge.
Please call your local fire service on 0800 1691234 or text 07756 847123. (*BSL trained fire safety practitioners are available)
Social services can provide equipment to help you hear better at home.
Contact numbers: • Cardiff 02920 234234 • Vale 01446 700111
You can also buy equipment yourself to help you hear better, please see Connevans.info or call 01737 247571. Your audiology department will have catalogues free of charge.
If you have hearing loss, and are employed, Access to Work may be able to cover the cost of any assistive devices that you need to do your job. This could include, for example, a listening device or loop system to help you hear during meetings.
An Access to Work grant could help pay for any assistive devices or communication support you need at work, and your employer will make these changes to support you.
If you’re 16 or over and have a condition that affects your ability to work. You need to have a paid job, or be about to start or return to one.
If you live in England, Scotland or Wales, you can apply online at GOV.UK.
Access to Work helpline (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) Telephone: 0800 121 7479 Textphone: 0800 121 7579 Relay UK: 18001 then 0800 121 7479
Many of us can feel a bit isolated or lonely and having a regular catch up with someone can be just what we need - someone to share news or a joke with. The Live Well with Hearing Loss project has volunteers who can give you a chance to talk on the phone or regular letters full of news. Our volunteers want to support you to feel more independent. For further information regarding the RNID befriending service please click here.
For carers in Wales the Listening Support Service will provide a support system, they have trained volunteers designed to be a listening ear. For further information and to apply please visit their website.
Care and repair offer a free home visiting information service offering practical help for older people with sensory loss, dementia, stroke survivors, or if you just need help to Manage Better at home
For further information and contact details please click these links for English and Welsh.
Please see Deaf4Deaf website to self refer for mental health support and counselling.
A 'LinkUp' brings together a group of around 15 people to explore the challenges of living with hearing loss, to share solutions, and to learn more about the strategies and equipment that can help make life a little bit easier.
For further information about this service and contact details please click here.
Wales Council for Deaf People believe there should be equal access for all, and they constantly strive to improve the lives of Deaf, deafened, hard of hearing & deafblind people in Wales.
For further information about this service and contact details please click here.
RNID is a charity that works in partnership with Centre of Sign-Sight-Sound to provide our Live Well with Hearing Loss service, which is funded by the Welsh Government Sustainable Social Services Grant.
Our Post Diagnostic Service works alongside the Cardiff and Vale Health board Audiology Department to support with early intervention of hearing loss. Every year we support people in their own homes, local community and digitally. We aim to help people find solutions to problems caused by hearing loss, deafness or tinnitus.
For further information about this service and contact details please click here.
Cardiff and Vale Audiology value our patients perspective, if you would like to have a say about how your audiology service is run we have a patient forum. Please click on this link to see our poster in English, and here for Welsh.
If you would like to volunteer your time to help our service please click this link here.
Deafblind Cymru, a part of DBUK (Deafblind UK), is the only national charity whose main focus is on acquired dual sensory loss. For further information and contact details for Deafblind Cymru please click here. (generic leaflet)
Deafblind Cymru will provide a range of support including casework support, digital support, social groups and a befriending service alongside a community outreach programme. (Please click on the links to see further details)
To help with hearing some additional devices can support hearing around the home and in work.
These can be devices that attach to your hearing aid such as TV streamers or Multi Mic's from GN Resound, (click to see leaflet)
Other louder devices can be installed around your home such as louder phones, doorbells and alarm clocks. These items can be purchased themselves (further information here) or you can contact your local social services for assistance.
Social Services contact numbers: • Cardiff 02920 234234 • Vale 01446 700111
Sudden hearing loss can occur unexpectedly, if this has happened to you this is classed as a medical emergency and it is important that you access or contact your local A&E for guidance and medical support as soon as possible.
For information on sudden hearing losses please click this link
If you are unsure if this is a sudden hearing loss please contact Audiology on Audiology.Helpline.CAV@wales.nhs.uk, Phone: 02921 843179 or 07805670359 (text only) for further guidance.
Since 2008 there has been a charge for the loss of a hearing aid, the hearing aids we provide are the on loan to our patients and are the property of the NHS. Therefore, we will charge £65 per hearing aid for the loss or acts of negligence on hearing aids. Our policy on lost hearing aids can be found here.
There are some exemption criteria for this charge, to find out if you are exempt please ask your Audiologist. Additionally, there is an appeals process for the charge of the hearing aid, this form can be found here.
Please note: if your hearing aid has broken through no fault of your own we will repair or replace this free of charge. For further information on our repairs service please see the 'Hearing Aid Repairs Services' tab.
For some individuals wax can build up in the ears and cause a blocking feeling of the ear, or cause your hearing aids to whistle. Our guidance on wax management can be found here.
The batteries that hearing aids use can be recycled, this is advised instead of throwing them in your general waste.
Since the introduction of battery recycling laws, most shops and supermarkets that sell batteries have collection bins in-store for used batteries. Additionally, some town halls, libraries and schools may have battery recycling collection bins.
When your hearing aid is upgraded or is found to be faulty we will send the previous hearing aid back to manufacturer to be fixed or recycled.
Quality standards in Wales is used to measure service quality across the country. The standards highlight areas for change, improvement and good practice, most importantly they standardise care throughout Wales.
A current Quality Standard review is undergoing within adult audiology, we have collated patient satisfaction surveys and the feedback and outcomes can be found here.
In addition a Patient Reported Experience Measure (PREM) report has been collated for our Pilot of 'First Contact Advanced Audiology Practice & Wax Management Services in Primary Care', this report can be found here.
An Overview of the Quality Standards for Adult Hearing Rehabilitation Services Report on the 2019 National Audit of Audiology Services in Wales can be found here and the 2017 National Audit of Audiology Services in Wales can be found here.
A patient satisfaction questionnaire report was conducted in 2019 and the full report can be found here.
Rydym yn croesawu galwadau ffôn yn Gymraeg, Saesneg a Iaith Arwyddion Prydain (BSL) via SignVideo.
We welcome phone calls in Welsh, English and British Sign Language (BSL) via SignVideo.