Audiology team helps patients access hearing care closer to home

More people across Somerset are benefiting from easier access to hearing care thanks to an innovative partnership between our audiology service and RNID, the national charity supporting more than 18 million people who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus.

Over the past five years, demand for hearing aid maintenance and repair services has increased by 155%, prompting the team to rethink how support is delivered.

Working closely with RNID, routine hearing aid support has moved from acute hospital settings into local communities, making it easier for patients to access help closer to home while freeing up specialist hospital capacity for diagnostics and more complex care.

The success of the approach has now been recognised with a Hospital to Community Award at the South West Healthcare Science Awards 2026.

Emma Ralph, our audiology manager, says: “At the heart of this work has been a commitment to listening to our patients and adapting services around what matters most to them.

“We know that travelling to hospital can be difficult for many people, particularly those living in rural communities, so we wanted to make hearing care more accessible and convenient while maintaining the highest standards of support.

"By working in partnership with RNID, we’ve been able to bring services much closer to where people live, helping people get the support they need more quickly and reducing barriers to care.”

The service now offers a network of community-based support across Somerset, including dedicated NHS audiology repair clinics providing repairs, troubleshooting and specialist advice, alongside RNID drop-in sessions for routine hearing aid maintenance , information and advice, and access to an online hearing check.

The expansion has led to a more than 50% increase in capacity within community repair clinics compared with previous hospital-based provision.

Eight RNID community services and eight NHS audiology repair clinics have been established across the county, supported by nearly 30 RNID volunteers.

Crystal Rolfe, director of health at RNID, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with NHS Somerset to bring hearing care closer to people’s homes across Somerset completely free of charge through our RNID Near You local support services.

“Undiagnosed hearing loss can lead to people feeling more isolated and less able to participate in everyday life. Having easy access to specialist advice, information and hearing aid maintenance in the local community has huge benefits to people’s wellbeing, helping them to feel more connected and independent.

“We would like to say a huge thank you to our dedicated volunteers whose time, skills and compassion are making a real difference to the over 170,000 people in Somerset who are deaf or have hearing loss.”

The number of patients accessing community-based support has also grown significantly, reflecting both the demand for the service and the benefits of receiving care closer to home.

“The feedback from patients has been overwhelmingly positive,” adds Emma. “People tell us they value being able to access support in familiar community settings, with less need to travel and quicker resolution of hearing aid issues.

"For many people, hearing aids are essential for staying connected with family, friends and the wider community. By ensuring that support is accessible and available when it is needed, we can help people maintain their independence and quality of life.”

Importantly, the team has continued to develop the service following feedback from patients and communities.

The introduction of additional community partnerships, ongoing reviews of capacity and plans for further digital booking options are helping ensure the service can continue to meet growing demand while providing greater choice for patients.

“This has never been about delivering a one-off change,” adds Emma. “We remain committed to listening to patient feedback and adapting our services accordingly.

“While moving support into the community has delivered significant improvements in access and capacity, we know the service must continue to evolve as demand grows.

“By continuing to work closely with patients, RNID and our wider partners, we can ensure people receive timely, accessible hearing care closer to home."

The team's work was recognised by judges at the South West Healthcare Science Awards, with the award highlighting the success of a service transformation built around patient need, partnership working and continuous improvement.

Emma says the team was incredibly proud to receive this recognition. “The award reflects the dedication and commitment of our audiology colleagues and RNID volunteers, who’ve embraced new ways of working while remaining focused on delivering the very best care for patients,” she continues.

“Most importantly, it recognises the positive difference this work is making for people across Somerset every day.”