Living Well at Home UKClear, practical guidance for later life
Health information

By Does Your Duck Quack

Hearing loss and tinnitus: getting help

Recognise hearing changes, get an NHS hearing assessment and understand tinnitus support. Sudden hearing loss needs same-day urgent advice.

Checked: 8 October 2026 · Next review: 8 April 2027 · Applies to: UK, with nation notes
How this guide was prepared

Purpose: urgent guidance · Level: detailed

Checked by: Does Your Duck Quack. Sources are linked below; seek professional advice for individual circumstances.

The short answer

What to do first

Recognise hearing changes, get an NHS hearing assessment and understand tinnitus support. Sudden hearing loss needs same-day urgent advice.

Start here: Signs may include asking people to repeat themselves, increasing the television volume, struggling in groups, missing a doorbell or feeling tired after conversation. A person may hear speech but find words unclear, especially with background noise. Ask what situations are difficult rather than speaking louder automatically. Sudden hearing loss is different from a slow change and needs urgent same-day advice. Tinnitus can accompany hearing loss, but it can also occur on its own.

Do not wait: Sudden hearing loss needs urgent same-day advice: contact NHS 111 or your GP immediately.

Visual guides

See the decision at a glance

Getting hearing support
  1. 1. Notice the changeRecord which situations are hard, when it began and any other symptoms.
  2. 2. Arrange assessmentAsk your GP or local NHS audiology service about the right route.
  3. 3. Request adjustmentsAsk for a quiet room, visible speech, captions or written notes.
  4. 4. Review supportTell audiology which situations remain difficult after fitting.
When hearing changes suddenly
  1. Same-day adviceContact NHS 111 or your GP immediately for sudden hearing loss.
  2. Gradual changeArrange a GP or audiology assessment and describe the pattern.
  3. Emergency symptomsCall 999 for immediate danger or severe symptoms after injury.

Scope of this guide

This guide helps you understand the options and questions to ask. It is not personal medical, legal or financial advice. Check the official sources for your nation and seek qualified help for high-stakes decisions.

If someone may be in immediate danger

Call 999 for a life-threatening emergency. For an urgent problem that is not clearly life-threatening, use the official NHS urgent-care route for the UK nation you are in. Have the address, symptoms, onset time, medicines and allergies ready.

Who this guide is for

People noticing hearing changes or tinnitus, and relatives who want to make conversations and appointments easier.

Hearing changes can happen gradually, so people may adapt without realising how tiring conversations have become. Tinnitus can sound like ringing, buzzing or another noise when no outside sound is present. Both deserve a respectful assessment, particularly when communication, confidence or safety is affected. This guide covers routes to care and practical communication support; it does not replace clinical assessment.

What to do now

1. Notice changes in everyday situations

Signs may include asking people to repeat themselves, increasing the television volume, struggling in groups, missing a doorbell or feeling tired after conversation. A person may hear speech but find words unclear, especially with background noise. Ask what situations are difficult rather than speaking louder automatically. Sudden hearing loss is different from a slow change and needs urgent same-day advice. Tinnitus can accompany hearing loss, but it can also occur on its own.

2. Arrange a hearing assessment

A GP can check for treatable causes and refer to NHS audiology. In some areas, adults can contact audiology directly without a GP referral; routes differ locally. In Scotland, NHS Inform explains audiology pathways; Wales and Northern Ireland have their own NHS and HSC referral arrangements. Tell the service about one-sided symptoms, pain, discharge, dizziness or a sudden change. Ask for written information, a quiet appointment space or an interpreter if that would help. You may bring someone you choose for support, but the assessment should centre your own answers and preferences. Tell the audiologist if hearing changes make phone calls, group conversations or safety announcements difficult.

3. Ask what hearing support is available

NHS hearing aids are provided without charge through NHS audiology services, although assessment and local fitting arrangements differ. The audiologist can explain options, fit and follow-up. This guide does not repeat day-to-day cleaning, batteries or maintenance; see the hearing-aid maintenance guide for those practical details. If an aid does not seem useful, explain which situations remain difficult so the service can check fit and settings rather than assuming you should simply manage.

4. Talk to a GP about tinnitus or earwax

Tinnitus may improve or become less intrusive with support, and some people find gentle background sound helpful. A GP can look for causes and discuss referral to audiology or another specialist. Do not put objects into the ear or try to remove wax yourself. NHS advice is that earwax is usually treated when it causes problems; the GP practice may assess and advise, but removal services and local eligibility differ. Ask what safe options are available before paying for treatment.

5. Make conversations easier for everyone

Face the person in good light, keep your mouth visible, reduce background noise and speak clearly at a natural pace. Do not shout or exaggerate mouth movements. Say the topic first, rephrase if needed and check understanding without embarrassment. In groups, one person speaking at a time can help. Ask the person which adjustments they prefer and whether they want written notes, captions or a hearing loop. Share communication preferences with healthcare and care staff only with consent.

6. Get urgent help for a sudden change

Sudden hearing loss in one or both ears needs urgent same-day medical advice from a GP or NHS 111. Do not wait for a routine hearing appointment. Tinnitus with sudden hearing loss, facial weakness, severe dizziness or following a head injury also needs urgent assessment; call 999 for an immediate emergency. For gradual changes, arrange a GP or audiology assessment. Keep a note of when symptoms began, which ear is affected and any other changes to share with the clinician.

Warning signs and checks

Common questions

Can I go straight to an audiologist for a hearing test?

Some areas offer direct access to NHS adult audiology, while others ask you to see a GP first. The route differs across the UK and by local service. A GP can also check for earwax or another cause and make a referral. Tell the service if hearing loss is sudden, painful, one-sided or accompanied by dizziness, because it may need urgent assessment.

Are NHS hearing aids free?

NHS hearing aids are provided without charge through NHS audiology services. The service can assess your hearing, discuss suitable support and explain follow-up. Local fitting and repair arrangements differ. If you already have an aid that is uncomfortable or not helping, contact the audiology service before giving up on it; the fit or settings may need review.

What should I do about sudden hearing loss?

Sudden hearing loss in one or both ears needs urgent same-day advice from your GP or NHS 111. Do not wait for a routine appointment. If it comes with facial weakness, severe dizziness, a head injury or another emergency symptom, seek emergency help. Note when the change began and any other symptoms so you can explain them clearly.

Can tinnitus be treated?

Tinnitus has different causes and there is no single approach for everyone. A GP can check for an underlying cause and discuss audiology or specialist support. Some people find gentle background sound helpful, especially in quiet settings, but sudden tinnitus with hearing loss or other acute symptoms needs urgent assessment. Avoid putting objects or unverified remedies in the ear.

Differences across the UK

NHS audiology is available throughout the UK, but referral and direct-access routes vary. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland provide their own NHS or HSC information and pathways. Hearing aids are available through NHS services, with local fitting and repair arrangements. For sudden hearing loss, use the urgent GP or NHS 111 route; contact emergency services for a medical emergency.

When to get urgent help

Sudden hearing loss needs urgent same-day advice: contact NHS 111 or your GP immediately.

Primary sources

The publisher checked this guide against the 8 official sources below. This is an editorial source check, not approval by a clinician, lawyer or benefits adviser.

Editorial note: By Does Your Duck Quack.