NHS hearing tests at home
Booking an NHS home hearing appointment with OutsideClinic depends on your location, age, and specific hearing needs; in some areas, you can book directly, while in others, a GP referral or hospital visit is required.
9 out of 10 patients would recommend us to family and friends
Fully accredited by IQIPS (Improving Quality in Physiological Services)
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Over 35 years of home testing experience
How do I get an NHS hearing test at home?
In some parts of England, you can directly book an NHS hearing appointment with us without a GP referral. These areas are known as 'self-referral areas'. If your GP practice is located in one of these areas, you can request an NHS appointment yourself without the need to make a GP appointment.
In other areas, you will need a referral from your GP or hospital to book an NHS appointment with us.
We can check if your GP is in a self-referral area and if you meet the criteria for an NHS hearing test, please complete the booking form and we'll get back to you and explain your options.
Here at OutsideClinic, our NHS hearing service is only available in England. However we do offer free private hearing tests across the whole of the UK (excluding NI).
If your hearing has suddenly dropped, or if you have discharge or pain in your ear, please see a GP first, regardless of whether you are in a self-referral area or not.
Can I get hearing aids on the NHS?
NHS-funded hearing aids are available from OutsideClinic for individuals who meet the criteria.
Typically, NHS hearing aids are BTE (behind-the-ear) models. If you prefer a different type of hearing aid, private treatment options are available.
Our NHS hearing aids are digital, Bluetooth-enabled and battery-powered, with accessories available to ensure all patients are catered for.
Your NHS hearing aids will be fitted and adjusted to your specific requirements and hearing prescription. If needed, we can take an impression of your ear and create a bespoke mould - this is all part of the service and at no cost to you.
Additionally, you will receive free aftercare for the lifetime of your hearing aids.
IQIPS Accreditation
We’re delighted to share that our NHS hearing service has been IQIPS Accredited since 2018!
The IQIPS accreditation is a professionally led scheme aimed at enhancing the quality, care, and safety of patients undergoing physiological tests, examinations, and procedures.
It is recognised by NHS England, the Care Quality Commission, NHS Improvement, and leading professional physiology bodies.
Find out if you're eligible for NHS-funded hearing services with OutsideClinic
Complete our booking form and we'll check if you are eligible for an NHS-funded hearing test at home and NHS-funded hearing aids should you need them.
Booking form
FAQ's
Unless you're the first appointment of the day, you'll receive a call from the audiologist in the morning who will advise on what time they will be arriving with you.
The audiologist will then arrive with portable testing equipment.
They will verify your personal details and medical history, followed by an examination of your ears using an otoscope to assess the health of your ears and check for things like ear wax or an infection.
You will then undergo a hearing test, where you'll wear a set of headphones and you will be asked to respond to various sounds by pressing a button.
Afterwards, the Audiologist will discuss the results with you (and your family or support if you are accompanied), and recommend a management plan where needed.
With most NHS hearing appointments, if hearing aids are needed, they will usually be fitted there and then.
If you are having earmoulds made for your hearing aids, the Audiologist will take an impression of your ear and send it to our laboratory so that your hearing aids can be made to your exact measurements. We'll then arrange a follow up appointment to fit these for you.
This varies depending on which NHS Care Board you are located in. In some areas you do have to be a certain age, usually at least 50 years old.
Yes. Here at OutsideClinic, our NHS hearing aids are bluetooth-enabled.
OutsideClinic customers can simply call us on 0800 60 50 40 to request more batteries and we will post them to your home address, these are free of charge and part of your ongoing aftercare.
As a general rule, hearing aids are expected to be out of date after 3 years.
Call our Customer Service team on 0800 60 50 40 and we can look into getting these replaced for you, and which terms apply to the NHS Care Board where you live.
There is no difference in the appointment and the test itself. However during an NHS appointment, we can only dispense NHS hearing aids.
For most patients, we can do your test and fit your hearing aids in the same appointment, allowing you to enjoy better hearing right away!
