People with hearing aids are to get more choice about when they can drop in to their local audiology clinic. Starting this week (24 October 2016) NHS Forth Valley audiologists will be available for some morning sessions at both Stirling and Falkirk Community Hospitals. Previously clinics were only available in the afternoons.

The move to offer a wider range of times follows feedback from a service user questionnaire which highlighted that many people wanted the option to attend a clinic prior to going to work, college or school.

The audiology clinics enable people to get their hearing aids repaired or receive advice, and further assessment if required. Hearing tests can also be carried out, if necessary, to see whether or not a person’s hearing has changed over time. Based on the results, the audiologist can make adjustments to a person’s current hearing aid, switch them over to a different hearing aid, make a new ear mould, or suggest that they try a hearing aid in their other ear if they currently only wear one.

NHS Forth Valley Highly Specialised Audiologist Stephanie Doody explained:  “We have around 17,000 patients and, since we introduced our open access clinics in autumn 2014, we have reduced waiting times for a reassessment from 6 months to nil. All staff, including our volunteers, have been involved in work to identify further improvements and this has resulted in an equal and more accessible service across both hospital sites.”

People can also attend Clackmannanshire Community Healthcare Centre on Mondays between 9.00am and 11.00am where trained volunteers can help with batteries and offer maintenance.

New Audiology Open Access Clinic Times (from 24^th October 2016)

Audiology Department
Falkirk – 01324 616191
Stirling – 01786 434171