Around 40% of adults with a learning disability also have a hearing loss. Some people with a learning disability are more likely to develop ‘age-related’ hearing loss earlier in life.
We are a specialist service for adults with complex needs or learning disabilities. If a routine audiology appointment does not suit you, we will change our assessment to support your needs. Assessment of hearing is approached flexibly and we provide additional support to patients and support teams around communication hearing aid use.
We have close links with local learning disability teams. Some clinics are jointly held with a speech and language therapists from the Brighton and Hove specialist community disability service.
How we help
Around 40% of adults with a learning disability also have a hearing loss. Some people with a learning disability are more likely to develop ‘age-related’ hearing loss earlier in life.
Our service is for adults with developmental or neurological disorders and complex needs who are not able to undertake standard hearing assessments.
We can talk to you and your carers about the best way to look after your ears.
Getting ready for your appointment
Wax check
Wax may:
- prevent us from performing a hearing assessment
- prevent us from fitting a hearing aid
- cause whistling if we fit a hearing aid
Please Therefore, if possible, please see your GP surgery for a wax check before your first appointment. Please contact us if this will be not be possible.
Interpreters
If you need an interpreter for any language, including British sign language, please contact us as soon as possible to arrange this.
Hospital transport
If you need hospital transport please arrange this through your GP.
Where we are
We offer appointments at
- Sussex House, which is just a few minute walk from the Royal Sussex County Hospital
- Royal Sussex County Hospital – ground floor, Louisa Martindale Building.
Contact us
Audiology Department
Sussex House
Abbey Road
Brighton
BN2 1ES
