Service overview
We help adults aged 18 and over, with hearing or balance problems.
We provide:
- hearing assessments, for adults aged under 55, or those with complex hearing loss
- hearing aids
- tinnitus counselling
- balance assessments for problems that may be caused by an issue with organs in the ears
- help for mixed or conductive hearing loss, when sound cannot travel normally through the ear
- help for asymmetric hearing loss, when one ear is noticeably worse than the other
Accessing our service
You must be 18 or older and have a referral from a health professional (for example, your GP).
If you are already a patient with us and use hearing aids, you can refer yourself.
Under-18s can be referred to our paediatric service.
We’ll contact you by letter, phone, or email to book your hearing assessment.
We don't offer a walk-in service, even for hearing aid repairs. Please only visit us if you have an appointment.
Our service is based at King Edward VII Hospital in Windsor, but we also run hearing clinics at:
Balance clinic appointments are only available in Windsor.
Preparing for an assessment
Your first appointment lasts 30 to 60 minutes.
We will tell you what to bring when we book. You can bring a friend or carer. Please let us know as soon as possible if you need an interpreter.
You may be sent a short questionnaire by email. Please fill it in before your visit. It will help us understand your medical and ear history.
What happens during the appointment will depend on the reason for your referral.
Hearing and balance assessments
During a balance assessment, we’ll ask about your medical history to better understand what is happening. This will also help us plan the right treatment.
During a hearing assessment, we will:
- check your ears
- do a hearing test
- make your personal treatment plan
If you have tinnitus, we'll discuss the condition and offer advice to manage your symptoms.
Based on what we find during your assessment, we may offer you a hearing aid or refer you to another specialist service.
Contact us if you need further support after your first appointment. This might be because you need help understanding the results of your assessment or you want a second opinion.
Hearing Assessment Leaflet
File size: 534 KB
Managing your health
Hearing aids and devices
If you're experiencing hearing loss, aids and devices can improve your ability to hear sounds in daily life. Don't worry if you’ve never used one before, as we offer fittings, repairs, and advice on using and looking after them.
We are not a walk-in service. Call or email to book an appointment about your hearing aid or device.
If you need new tubes or batteries, call or email us and we will post them out to you.
Hearing Aid Open Fit Leaflet
File size: 4.81 MB
Hearing Aid Ear Mould Fitting Booklet
File size: 4.45 MB
GN Resound Ambio hearing aid
The GN Resound Ambio hearing aid is one of the types of hearing aid that we provide. Videos and written information about managing the controls of your aid can be found on the Danalogic website:
Tinnitus
Tinnitus means hearing sounds that are only in your head or ears. These sounds can be ringing, buzzing, or humming. Tinnitus is not a disease. It can start suddenly or slowly and may be worse in quiet places or when you are worried.
Visit the NHS website to learn more about tinnitus.
Tinnitus (Hearing and Balance)
File size: 210 KB
Tinnitus Information Leaflet
File size: 716 KB
Vestibular system / balance
The vestibular system is part of your inner ear. It helps you keep your balance. If it is damaged, you may feel dizzy or that the room is spinning (vertigo).
If you’re experiencing vertigo, contact your GP and they may refer you to us.
The documents below have details about balance assessments and some of the tests we do. We have also included information about benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), which is a common cause of vertigo.
Your initial balance assessment (Hearing and Balance)
File size: 143 KB
Caloric testing (Hearing and Balance)
File size: 86 KB
Vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) test (Hearing and Balance)
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) (Hearing and Balance)
Your e-Health Passport
Your e-Health Passport lets us know what's important to you - from your preferred name and pronouns to how you'd like us to support you and communicate with you.
Learn moreContact us and FAQs
King Edward VII Hospital
Adult Audiology Service (Hearing and Balance)
Contact number: 0300 365 6222 (select option 2 if you have a letter asking you to book an appointment)
Email: hearingandbalance@berkshire.nhs.uk We are open 8am-4pm, Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays).
Postcode: SL4 3DP
Location detailsWexham Park Hospital
Adult Audiology Service (Hearing and Balance)
Contact number: 0300 365 6222 Option 2 to book an appointment.
Email: hearingandbalance@berkshire.nhs.uk Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm (excluding bank holidays).
Postcode: SL2 4HL
Location detailsSt Mark’s Hospital
Adult Audiology Service (Hearing and Balance)
Contact number: 0300 365 6222 Option 2 to book an appointment.
Email: hearingandbalance@berkshire.nhs.uk Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm (excluding bank holidays).
Postcode: SL6 6DU
Location detailsSkimped Hill Health Centre
Adult Audiology Service (Hearing and Balance)
Contact number: 0300 365 6222 Option 2 to book an appointment.
Email: hearingandbalance@berkshire.nhs.uk Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm (excluding bank holidays).
Postcode: RG12 1LH
Location detailsFrequently asked questions
Can you replace my hearing aid batteries?
We will post replacement batteries to you. Email us, or call and leave a voicemail, to request them.
Make sure to include your name and address in your message.
What should I do if someone has swallowed a hearing aid battery?
Go straight to A&E at hospital. Swallowing a battery can be very dangerous.
Always keep button batteries away from young children to prevent swallowing.
Do you offer drop-in hearing aid repair clinics?
No. Please contact us to arrange an appointment if you need a hearing aid repair.
We can also help you with:
Is there any information for friends, family and carers?
If you’re a family member, carer, or you look after someone, there’s practical, financial, and emotional support available from a range of local communities and national organisations.
How do I request an interpreter?
We can provide language translation and interpretation support.
Tell our staff which language you prefer to use, and we will make sure the right communication support is in place for your assessment and treatment. Please let us know as early as possible so we can ensure the appropriate translation or interpreting support is available.
We offer a range of professional services to ensure everyone can understand and be understood:
- Telephone interpreting
- Video remote interpreting (VRI)
- Face‑to‑face interpreting
- Written translation
- British Sign Language (BSL) interpreting
How can I get information in an accessible format?
Anyone with a disability, impairment, or sensory loss has the right to get information in a format that meets their needs.
The Accessible Information Standard (AIS) is a legal requirement for all health and adult social care providers. This means making sure that people who use our services, including carers and families, can understand our information and communicate with us easily.
We can offer information in a range of accessible formats, including:
- British Sign Language (BSL)
- Large print
- Braille
- Audio
- Easy read
- Text message
- Face‑to‑face support with a carer or advocate present
If you need information in any of these formats, please tell a member of our team and we will make sure your communication needs are met.
Are service dogs allowed at my appointment?
Yes, you are welcome to bring your registered service animal, such as a guide dog, hearing dog, medical alert dog, or other trained assistance dog to your appointment.
These animals are recognised as essential support and are permitted in most areas of our services.
To help us prepare, please let the team know before your appointment if you will be attending with a service animal. This allows us to make sure the environment is safe and comfortable for you, your animal, and other patients.
Please note that service animals may not be able to enter certain restricted clinical areas for safety or infection‑control reasons, but we will always work with you to find an appropriate alternative.
What does it mean to treat our team with respect?
Respect is important.
We will be polite and kind and we expect that you treat our staff in the same way.
Abuse, hate and discrimination against our staff is unacceptable.
We will take strong action against anyone who is verbally, racially, physically, or sexually abusive to them.
This may include contacting the police to prosecute, and stopping future access to our healthcare services.
How do I find my NHS number?
The easiest way to find your NHS number is using the official NHS online service which can be accessed below.
You may also want to read our guidance page for more information about other ways to find your NHS number or what to do if you cannot find yours.
iWantGreatCare
Did you get great care? Having your say helps care for everyone, so please give us your feedback
Share your feedback: Have your sayRelated services
Audiology Service for children and young people
Hearing and balance assessments from ages 0 to 18, plus hearing aid testing and fitting, rehabilitation, and other treatments.
Audiology Service for children and young people: Go to serviceTalking Therapies
A free and confidential service offering effective treatment for common mental health problems such as low mood, stress or worry.
Talking Therapies: Go to service