Adult Audiology

The department is based at St Helens hospital (Ground Floor , Purple Zone) and consists of 4 large soundproof rooms (fully wheelchair accessible) and 4 separate treatment rooms.

The department accept direct GP referrals for hearing aid assessment for all adults. Existing hearing aid users may also self-refer for reassessment.

The team fit high specification digital hearing aids for patients who require them following assessment. They continuously update/upgrade technology to keep pace new technology (within NHS contract boundaries). The staff are also able to advise regarding listening tactics, assisted listening devices and can signpost to specialised services.

Existing patients can request an appointment for servicing / repair of existing aids and further support by phone on 01744 646027 or email sthelens.hearingaidservice@sthk.nhs.uk 

The department are only able to see patients on an appointment basis – they do not have a walk in clinic service.

Further information can be found on the NHS website here: https://sthk.merseywestlancs.nhs.uk/our-services?service=

Children’s Audiology – Halton, St Helens and Knowsley

The Children’s Audiology Service aims to ensure children aged 0-18 have the best hearing levels possible to encourage children to communicate, learn and interact with others to the best of their ability. The service work with families to provide high quality care to the children they see and families will be involved at all stages in decision making. The Children’s Audiology Service offers expertise in the following areas:

• universal hearing screening for all new born babies and school children
• early diagnosis and management of hearing loss
• hearing aid fitting after detailed assessment
• ongoing support for hearing aid users
• diagnosis and management of hearing related problems

The Children’s Audiology Service covers Halton, St Helens and Knowsley and offers clinics in the following places:

• Nutgrove Huyton Primary Care Resource Centre
• Whiston Primary Care Resource Centre
• Lowe House Health care Resource Centre
• Widnes Health Care Resource Centre

You can refer your child into the Children’s Audiology Service via your Health Visitor, School Nurse, GP or any other professional who is involved with their care. Children’s Audiology Referral Form

Referrals will only be accepted electronically via the following email address: bchft.childrensaudiology@nhs.net

On receipt of a referral parents will be sent a letter asking them to contact the service to arrange a convenient appointment.

You will be offered suitable appointments within six weeks of the date of receipt of the referrals.

If families do not make contact the child will be discharged from the service. There is no cost to parents to use this service.

Interpreters are available if required.

Further information can be found on the NHS website here: https://bridgewater.nhs.uk/haltonsthelens/childrensaudiolog

CODA UK and Ireland

​CODAs are Children of Deaf Adults. If either one (or both) of your parents are Deaf, then you're a CODA. Regardless of whether you sign or not. 

Most people with Deaf parents are themselves hearing,

As the only national organisation representing solely Children of Deaf Adults, CODA UK and Ireland was established in 2011 in order to:

​

• Facilitate social interaction of CODAs with their peers
• Provide peer support 
• Celebrate our heritage 

They achieve this by arranging activities for CODAs of all ages - take a look at their events page to find out more. CODA UK and Ireland run a flagship CODA Camp, social activities and over 18's 'CODA Weekenders'.

CODA Camp

The Camp is held once a year and is aimed at being able to provide a safe place for CODA children to come and spend a weekend with other CODAs who have shared lived experiences. All of the children and adult volunteers attending are CODAs themselves. The focus is on being able to celebrate deaf heritage and the unique experiences we all have from growing up with deaf parents and as a part of the deaf world. The camp is for any children with either 1 or 2 deaf parents, aged from 7-17.

Email: info@codaukireland.co.uk

Website: www.codaukireland.co.uk

Deafness Resource Centre

At The Deafness Resource Centre (DRC), they provide support, resources, and services to individuals who are D/deaf*, as well as their families and friends. The centre is a hub of information, assistance, & community for the D/deaf population in St. Helens, Halton, Knowsley and the surrounding areas.

*D/deaf is a collective term used to describe people who are profoundly deaf, deafened, hard of hearing or deafblind.

The centre offers:

• Support for Children, Young People & Families - This service is accessible and open to all Children, Young People and Families who experience deafness or hearing loss living in St Helens, Halton, Knowsley, and wider Merseyside region. 
  
• Deaf Advocacy - including Support with benefit forms/ translation of letters and forms/ support with contacting service providers/ signposting to other support organisations
• Equipment Services - There are different kinds of equipment available, dependent on your personal needs. For example, flashing doorbells to alert you to visitors, or loop systems to help you hear conversations or the television. There is a £20 voluntary Assessment Fee, then all Equipment is given FREE of charge on a long-term loan basis.
• Interpreters and Communication Service - The Deafness Resource Centre can provide BSL/English Interpreters, Lip speakers, and Deafblind Interpreters. The Deafness Resource Centre also have “I am Deaf” cards for deaf clients. Clients keep these and take them to doctors and hospital appointments so they can contact the centre to book interpreters. You can contact the Deafness Resource Centre to obtain one.
• Tinnitus Support - Tinnitus Support Groups operating across St Helens and Halton. The self-help groups support people living with Tinnitus, offering an informal get together to share experiences with other people, access information and get support on managing Tinnitus. The groups are supported by trained Tinnitus Advisors who can offer one to one support when needed.
• British Sign Language Courses - Deafness Resource Centre offer Signature accredited qualifications in British Sign Language Level’s 1 & 2 (there are costs involved)
• Groups - including a regular Youth Club for 8 to 16 year olds, Second & fourth Wednesday of the Month, 6pm-8pm (open to those who are D/deaf, hard of hearing or a CODA and their siblings)



Contact details for St. Helens:

Telephone (Voice & Text): 01744 23887
Email: enquiries@deafnessresourcecentre.org

Address: 40 Dentons Green Lane, St Helens, Merseyside WA10 2QB

Website: https://deafnessresourcecentre.org/

National Deaf Children's Society

National Deaf Children's Society give expert support on childhood deafness, raise awareness and campaign for deaf children’s rights, so they have the same opportunities as everyone else. The Society offers information and advice to parents, carers and families. Their website has useful information on childhood deafness, parenting and family life, assistive technology, education and learning, language and communication, money and benefits.

There is a page on their website specifically for Young People, with a section aimed towards 8-18 year olds and a section deaf young adults aged 18-25. For those under 18 years old, the website has information on exploring your own identity, celebrating deafness, wellbeing and safety, accessibility and support options, education and careers. Within the young adult section, the society collected questions from deaf young people around the UK and answered them along with guidance and tips to help at each stage. Topics include: Work and Careers, Your Rights, Mental Health, Independent Living, Money, Education and Deaf Identity.

You can get in touch with their Helpline on 0808 800 8880. The helpline is able to give free independent information and advice on deaf-related issues for parents, carers, families, and deaf children and young people. The helpline also gives information and guidance to professionals working with deaf children and young people.For any enquiries you want to make in BSL, the society have a dedicated SignVideo BSL video relay service. Further information can be found on the website here: www.ndcs.org.uk

Address: National Deaf Children's Society, 5th Floor, 167-169 Great Portland Street, London W1W 5PF

Email: ndcs@ndcs.org.uk

RNID - Royal National Institute for Deaf People

RNID are a national charity supporting the 18 million people in the UK who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus. Their website has useful information and support regarding the below and more:

• ear health
• hearing loss
• deaf awareness
• benefits
• technology and assistive devices
• local support services
• employment

Further information can be found on the RNID website here: https://rnid.org.uk

You can also contact the team directly in the following ways:

Live Chat: 9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday

Email: contact@rnid.org.uk

Text your question to 07360 268 988. Texts are charged at your standard network rate.

Or use SignLive to arrange a free BSL Video Call

Telephone: 0808 808 0123

Royal Association for Deaf People

Founded in 1841, the association is one of the oldest charities working with deaf people in the UK. Celebrating deaf culture and community is an essential part of what they do. With deaf people, and in collaboration with others, the association innovate and deliver services that deaf people want and need.

Their services include:

• Advocacy and Wellbeing
• Advice and Employability
• Information on Independent Living
• Interpreting and communication
• Training
• Youth Advance Support

BSL Information Hub

On the association website you can find the BSL information Hub, which has British Sign Language (BSL) videos on a variety of topics. All fully accessible in BSL with subtitles. They regularly add new videos.

If you want to get in touch with the team, you can:

Send a BSL video or email to: info@royaldeaf.org.uk

Send a text to: 07851 423 866

Telephone: 0300 688 2525

You can also complete a self referral or professional referral form here: www.royaldeaf.org.uk/make-a-referral

Further information can be found on their website: www.royaldeaf.org.uk

Sign Health

Sign Health are a passionate and caring Deaf-led team working towards a future where there are no barriers to good health and wellbeing for Deaf people. Sign Health are one of the UK’s largest employers of Deaf people, and most hearing staff in their projects and services are fluent sign language users. Their work is varied and aims to promote easier access to healthcare and information. They partner with the NHS and other services and take on projects, carry out research, and raise awareness. They also deliver their own services to reach deaf people in their shared language in their moment of need, through domestic abuse support, therapy, advocacy and residential services. Sign Health offer:

• NHS Psychological Therapy Service, in BSL,  for Deaf People with anxiety and depression. Also have self help guides and BSL videos. Individuals can self refer or be referred by a professional. Sign Health also have workshops which cover topics like anxiety and stress, trauma, fibromyalgia. They also have a couples therapy for depression 
• Domestic Abuse Team - If you are in an abusive relationship or think you might be, you can contact the Domestic Abuse Team who will support

        Text ONLY 07800 003421
        Email: da@signhealth.org.uk

• Advocacy Team - In BSL, Sign Health advocates help explain complicated situations, your rights and make sure you are properly heard. The advocates specialise in working in mental health hospitals (for children and adults) and prisons, as well as with general issues related to care assessments, employment disputes, housing, benefits tribunals, etc. 
• Social Care - Sign Health manage seven residential homes for deaf people with long term mental health challenges and complex needs. Residents are given opportunities to learn the skills they need to become independent again. For new residents, once a referral has been accepted and funding has been secured, they encourage the person to be actively involved in the transition to their new home. Five of the Sign Health homes are registered care homes. Referrals are accepted from Health and Social Care services.
• Children and Young People Strategy - Sign Health can offer some deaf children and young people emotional support. They also deliver workshops and information sessions to deaf children and young people about a range of health and keeping safe topics.
• There are also some videos for deaf people of all ages about a variety of health topics here: BSL Health Video Library

If you need support or more information, they know BSL and you can contact them by text, email or video.

Text: 078600 33214
Email: info@signhealth.org.uk

Further information, including contact details for specific teams, can be found on the website here: www.signhealth.org.uk

Hearing Support Service 0-25

The Hearing Support Service are a specialist team of teachers of the deaf and support practitioners who work directly with children and young people with a hearing loss aged 0-25 years. The team support children and young people, their families and education providers by providing bespoke advice and support. 

Whilst the team are an educational support service, they aim to offer a holistic service to their service users which looks at the needs of the child/young person taking into consideration their environment. This could be specific advice for the child’s educational establishment or signposting and support for families. Some examples of the support and services provided include: 

• Assessment and advice around the language and communication needs of the child or young person. 
• Advice to educational settings around accessibility and inclusion. 
• Training for educational settings around the effects of hearing loss and ideas on how to support. 
• Support and advice around hearing aids/cochlear implants. 
• Provision of specialist equipment subject to eligibility e.g. personal radio aids. 
• Environmental audits to highlight any issues around listening conditions within an educational setting. 
• Support with key transition points. 
• Contributing to Education, Health and Care Plans and attendance at review meetings (where requested). 
• Individual or small group support where required, focusing on target areas identified through assessment. 
• Supporting children and young people in understanding their hearing loss and becoming emotionally resilient. 
• Early Years support through home visits and access to specialist pre-school group. 
• Providing information and signposting to other agencies for financial and/or emotional support including Disability Living Allowance, Family Sign sessions, Early Help etc. 
• Helping prepare children and young people for adulthood (i.e. life skills advice, travel training, onward referrals to post 16 support). 

The Hearing Support Service will work with any child/young person with a diagnosed hearing loss.   

If you suspect your child (or a child you are working with) has a hearing loss, in the first instance please refer to your local paediatric Audiology department for a hearing test. This can be done via the child’s GP, school SENCO or School Nurse. 

Please visit www.bridgewater.nhs.uk/haltonsthelens/childrensaudiology for a referral to Audiology Services. 

Many of their referrals come directly from Health, schools or via an Education, Health and Care assessment request. They do, however, offer an open referral policy with referrals received from any professional or from families directly.

Any queries can be directed by e-mail to schoolageteam@sthelens.gov.uk or by telephone to 01744 673135. Please do not hesitate to get in touch.

Please send any completed referrals electronically by e-mail to the above address. Hearing Support Referral Form

Further information can be found on the SEND website here: https://new.sthelens.gov.uk/send/support-services/school-services

The Hearing Support Service can also be accessed if the child's school make a referral to TESSA

Page Last Updated November 2024