Sensory impairment
Hearing impairment
Support is available for people who are
- deaf
- hearing impaired
- deaf/blind.
After an assessment of your needs through Adult Social Care we will create a support plan.
This may identify you need some equipment or further support to maintain your independence.
Adult Social Care are required by law to keep a register of deaf and hearing impaired and deaf blind people.
To be registered hearing impaired, you will need to go to the Audiology Department at Darlington Memorial Hospital for a hearing test. Specsavers can also provide the Audiogram after a person has had a hearing test. Private companies are able to provide Audiograms if requested.
Your GP will be able to refer you to the Audiology Department at Darlington Memorial Hospital, Specsavers, or other companies.
Registration is voluntary and you do not have to be registered to ask for help with hearing problems.
However if you register it may help you to qualify for some benefits in the form of exemptions from VAT on certain equipment.
When you visit the Audiology Department, you will be given a form to sign.
There are two boxes on the form - one is the agreement to an assessment by Adult Social Care and the other if you agree to be registered as hearing impaired.
The Audiology Department will then contact Adult Social Care, who will require the Audiogram and send you a Pink registration card and arrange for an assessment of your needs.
- Support for Deaf and Hearing Impaired People in Darlington Leaflet [pdf document]
- Search the local resource directory [external link]
- RNID - Royal National Institute for the Deaf [external link]
Visual impairment
Support is available for people who are
- blind
- visually impaired
- deaf/blind
Following an assessment of your needs through Adult Social Care, a support plan can be put together.
This may identify you need some equipment or further support to maintain your independence.
- Are you having problems with your sight - text version [word document]
- Are you having problems with your sight - print version [PDF document]
- Are you, or is someone you know having problems with sight - text version [rich text document]
- Are you, or is someone you know having problems with sight - print version [PDF document]
- RNIB - Royal National Institute of Blind People [external link]
- Search the local resource directory [external link]