Hearing Impairment

If you are deaf or hard of hearing, or need information on services for people with sensory impairments, or you are a carer, family member or health or social care professional, this website will help you to find what you need.

1. National organisations for people with Hearing Impairment 

Action on Hearing Loss (formally RNID)

Action on Hearing Loss (formally named RNID) is the largest charity representing over 10 million deaf and hard of hearing people in the UK.  They provide support for people with hearing loss and tinnitus through: day-to-day care for people who are deaf and have additional needs; information, advice and support for people with a hearing loss, including hearing aid support; communication services and training; equipment catalogue and online shop; campaign to change public policy around hearing loss issues; support research into an eventual cure for hearing loss and tinnitus.  They have a number of regional offices and local projects across the UK.

Information line : 0808 808 0123 (freephone)    

Textphone: 0808 808 9000 (freephone)             SMS: 0780 0000 360                                           

Email: informationline@hearingloss.org.uk

 

Tinnitus Line:

Telephone: 0808 808 6666 (freephone)             

Textphone: 0808 808 0007 (freephone)

SMS: 0780 0000 360 

Email:  tinnitushelpline@hearingloss.org.uk   

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RAD

www.royaldeaf.org.uk       Tel: 0845 688 2525       Minicom: 0845 699 2527

RAD (Royal Association for Deaf People) is a Deaf led organisation, promoting the welfare and interests of Deaf people. Deaf people should receive the same access and opportunities as hearing people.

 RAD mainly supports Deaf people whose first or preferred language is British Sign Language (BSL) but also works with people with all forms of deafness including those who are hard of hearing, deafened, or deafblind.

Email:   info@royaldeaf.org.uk   NDCS Tel:  020 7490 8656          

Minicom:    020 7490 8656            

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NDCS

National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS) is the national charity dedicated to creating a world without barriers for deaf children and young people.

www.ndcs.org.uk

The NDCS provides support, advice, information, equipment, advocacy and courses on education, health and benefits for deaf children, their families and professionals.

Email:   ndcs@ndcs.org.uk

Free Helpline  0808 800 8880              Helpline Minicom  0808 800 8880 

Helpline email: helpline@ndcs.org.uk 

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Shape Tickets

www.shapearts.org.uk    Tel:  0845 521 3457     Minicom: 020 7424 7368

 

Shape Tickets is a ticket scheme to help deaf and other disabled people visit a wide range of arts and entertainment events across London, often at reduced prices and with no booking fees. If you are unable to get to the venue on your own, you can book an access assistant who can take you from your home to the event, attend it with you, and return you back home afterwards at no extra cost to you.  

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British Deaf Association (BDA)

www.bda.org.uk           Tel:  02476 550936           Textphone: 02476 550393

The BDA is the largest Deaf organisation in the UK that is run by Deaf people, representing the Sign Language community, which is united by shared experiences, history and, most importantly, by British Sign Language (BSL).

Head Office , 10th Floor, Coventry Point, Market Way, Coventry, CV1 1EA

Email :   bda@bda.org.uk    

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Sense

Tel: 0845 127 0066          Textphone 0845 127 0062        www.sense.org.uk           

Sense is the leading national charity that supports and campaigns for children and adults who are deafblind

Email : info@sense.org.uk  

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Deafblind UK

Tel: 0800 132 320 for both voice and text calls       www.deafblind.org.uk

Deafblind UK is a national charity which provides a wide range of services for deafblind adults and their carers and campaigns on their behalf. 

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Hearing Dogs

www.hearingdogs.org.uk           Tel: 01844 348 100 (voice and minicom)

Hearing Dogs is the British charity that trains and places dogs with persons who are deaf or hard of hearing - offering greater independence, confidence and security to deaf people

Email:   info@hearingdogs.org.uk

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Signstation

www.signstation.org

Information about Deaf people and British Sign Language - BSL  

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National Deaf Services

www.swlstg-tr.nhs.uk

National Deaf Services provides a range of comprehensive mental health services for deaf adults, children and their families.

The Adult Deaf Service covers London and the southern third of England: 

Tel: 020 8675 2100             Mob: 07766 257 846 (9am to 5pm)   

Minicom: 020 8675 2200    Email :  oldchurch@swlstg-tr.nhs.uk

 

The Child Deaf and Family Service is national, covering the whole of the UK:

Tel: 020 8682 6860             Mob: 07717 571 857     Minicom: 020 8682 6909

Email:   cornerhouse@swlstg-tr.nhs.uk

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2. Useful other national organisations and websites 

Going For Independence (GFI)

www.goingforindependence.org     Tel: 01287 204204

Email: info@gongforindependence.org

GFI is a social enterprise which specialises in providing information and advice about independent living and equipment, links to OTs for environmental assessments to enable people to live their lives to the full and specialist training for organisations.

Services provided by GFI include:

        Helpline

        Information and advice on Equipment, Telecare and Adaptations

        DBS service for Independent OTs

        Local service information

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RICA

www.rica.org.uk         Email: mail@rica.org.uk

Tel: 020 7427 2460      Textphone: 020 7427 2460

Ricability is an independent consumer research charity providing free, practical and unbiased reports for older and disabled people.

Rica, Unit G03, The Wenlock, 50-52 Wharf Road, London N1 7EU

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Remap

www.remap.org.uk        Tel: 0845 1300 456

Remap works through a nationwide network of dedicated volunteer experts who use their ingenuity and skills to tailor- make items of equipment to help people with disabilities to achieve much-desired independence in some aspect of their lives, or to enjoy leisure opportunities previously closed to them.

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Disabled Living Foundation - DLF

www.dlf.org.uk         Tel: Helpline   0300 999 0004   

Email :  helpline@dlf.org.uk

The Disabled Living Foundation (DLF) is part of Shaw Trust and provides independent advice on mobility aids, disability aids, and daily living equipment and information on where you can buy or hire daily living equipment and sources of funding. 

DLF, 4th Floor Jessica House, Red Lion Square. 191 Wandsworth High Street, London SW18 4LS

www.livingmadeeasy.org.uk     – a website showcasing a wide range of equipment for independent living

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Disabled Go

www.disabledgo.com

For online information about all kinds of places in your area - hotels, restaurants, colleges, tourist attractions, libraries, hospitals, leisure centres etc.

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ODI - the Office for Disability Issues

www.gov.uk/government/organisations/office-for-disability-issues

The Office for Disability Issues (ODI) is part of the Department for Work and Pensions and works to support the development of policies across government to remove inequality between disabled and non-disabled people.

Email:   fulfilling.potential@dwp.gsi.gov.uk

Office for Disability Issues, Caxton House, 7-12 Tothill Street, London SW1H 9DA

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NHS Choices www.nhs.uk

NHS Choices is the online 'front door' to the NHS. It is the country's biggest health website and gives all the information you need to make choices about your health.

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3. Local Services

Follow this link to see the page on local services. We are adding to this page as we develop links with organisations and sensory support networks around the UK.