About the service
Our audiology department caters to adults in Gateshead, offering comprehensive services including hearing assessments, hearing aids, and ongoing hearing care. Our team consists of experienced audiologists who provide these services at the QE Hospital, Bensham Hospital, and Blaydon Primary Care Centre.
For patients who are unable to visit our facilities due to being housebound, we do offer a limited home visit service upon the request of their GP.
Your GP can refer you to our Audiology department for a hearing assessment if you are not an existing patient at Gateshead.
Existing patients can contact us directly at 0191 445 2532 (Monday to Friday, between 09:00-12:30 and 13:30-15:30) or by emailing us at [email protected]. Any complaints of pain, discharge, infection or wax should be dealt with via your GP services.
If you experience a sudden hearing loss that has occurred within the past 30 days and lasted for a period of three days or less, it is important to visit the A&E department to be seen urgently by an Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) specialist.
If the sudden hearing loss has been ongoing for more than 30 days, your GP should refer you urgently to an ENT specialist.
How will my hearing be evaluated?
We will inquire about your hearing and gather other relevant information during your appointment. The duration of the appointment for a hearing aid fitting or assessment can be either 50 minutes or 100 minutes, depending on the specific requirements of the patient.
Before conducting a hearing test, we will examine your ears. The hearing test itself will involve pure tone audiometry, where the audiologist will provide sounds through headphones or inserts placed in your ears.
When you hear a sound, you will respond by pressing a button. If necessary, the hearing assessment can be adjusted to accommodate your individual needs.
Based on the results, the audiologist may perform objective testing, which does not require your active response. One such test is tympanometry, used to evaluate the middle ear. A probe tip will be inserted into your ear, and a small amount of air will be gently blown into the ear. This test is quick, simple, and does not cause any discomfort.
Following the assessments, the audiologist will explain the results, discuss the outcomes, and outline the plan for your appointment. You are encouraged to ask any questions you may have during this time.
Hearing aid service
If you require hearing aids, we can provide them based on the results of your hearing tests. Our range of hearing aids consists of digital behind-the-ear (BTE) models that can be fitted using slim-tubes or custom-made ear moulds.
Before the fitting of the hearing aids, the audiologist will discuss the different types available and will recommend the most suitable ones based on your test results.
During your appointment, the audiologist will explain fully how the hearing aids function and familiarise you with their controls. The audiologist will programme the hearing aids to suit your lifestyle and give advice based on your needs. Additionally, an information booklet will be provided to you at the end of the session.
Battery services
If you require batteries for your hearing aids, you can contact us at 0191 445 2532 or email [email protected]. We offer the option to have the batteries posted to your address or you can collect them from the Audiology Department at the QE Hospital.
Alternatively, you can obtain batteries from the following locations:
- OE Audiology reception desk
- Bensham main reception desk
- Blaydon Primary Care Centre main reception desk
- Rowland Gills Medical Centre
- Crawcrook Medical Practice
- Grange Road Medical Practice
- Felling Health Centre
- Gateshead libraries
- Whickham medical practice
- Wrekenton medical group
You can also request batteries
Hearing aid repairs
If your hearing aids are malfunctioning or broken, we provide a convenient drop-off service at the Audiology Department located at the QE Hospital. As you enter the department, you will find a table on the left-hand side with envelopes available. Please complete the envelope, place your hearing aids inside it, and deposit it in our designated drop-off box next to the table.
Our goal is to repair your hearing aids within 3 working days. Once the repairs are completed, we will either contact you for collection or arrange to post them back to you, based on the preference you indicate on the envelope.
Alternatively, you have the option to post your hearing aids to us at the following address:
Audiology Department
Queen Elizabeth Hospital
Sheriff Hill
Gateshead
Tyne & Wear
NE9 6SX
Please ensure that you affix the correct postage stamp and securely package the hearing aids in an envelope, preferably a padded one, to protect them during transit.
While we do offer service and repair appointments, availability for these are limited. If we can repair your hearing aids without your presence, we would recommend utilising the drop-off or the postal options mentioned above.
For replacement tubes and domes for your hearing aids, you can either contact us by phone at 0191 445 2532 or email us at [email protected]. We are able to post them to your address or you can collect them from the Audiology Department at the QE Hospital.
Alternatively, you can request spare tubes:
Gateshead sensory support
If you experience difficulties hearing sounds such as the TV, smoke alarm, doorbells, or phone conversations, Gateshead Council offers practical solutions to assist residents in overcoming these challenges.
If you’re interested in availing of this free service, please get in touch through the following contact information:
- Phone 0191 433 7033
- Email: [email protected]
- Website- Hearing loss services – Gateshead Council
Gateshead Council is committed to providing support and assistance to improve the daily lives of individuals with hearing difficulties.
The audiologist can recommend some other additional resources that you may find useful.