Hearing impairment

Whatever your type of hearing impairment, there may be devices and support available to help you stay independent and connected to those around you.

Hearing impairments take many different forms.  People can be born deaf, or develop a hearing impairment for a variety of reasons. 

Get your hearing checked

You can ask your GP for a hearing examination. Your doctor may decide to refer you on to a specialist NHS service for further tests. This may be an ear, nose and throat (ENT) department, audiology department or hearing clinic. They will then be able to tell you the specifics of your hearing impairment and whether it is permanent. 

The specialist service or your doctor will also be able to advise whether a hearing aid might be suitable for you, and help you to access one. You can find more information on the NHS Choices website. 

Visit the NHS Choices website

High street opticians such as Boots and Specsavers may also offer free hearing aid checks for people over 60.

Contact us using BSL sign language

You can contact us using British Sign Language (BSL) if you wish. This service will connect you to an online professional BSL interpreter and you can tell them you are calling Lambeth council. Find out how to contact us using BSL sign language: 

Contact us using BSL sign language

Equipment to help you live as independently as possible

If you are eligible for support, we can provide equipment free of charge.

The type of equipment you can get depends on your eligibility and individual needs. It may include:

  • a baby alarm or wrist receiver that has been specially adapted to alert deaf parents of their baby crying
  • a flashing light for a doorbell and/or phone
  • a textphone
  • a vibrating pad which is linked to a smoke alarm
  • an amplified phone.

For more information, visit adapting your home: vision and hearing impairment or loss on living made easy.

To get in touch with us online, use our adult social care public referral form.

If your enquiry is urgent, please call us on 020 7926 5555 
(Press 1 for adult services. Then select option 1 - If you don’t currently receive a service from us, 2 - If you receive a service from us, 3 - If you're experiencing abuse, or 4 - anything else)

Local services

The Royal Association for Deaf People (RAD)

The Royal Association for Deaf People (RAD) provides a weekly advice surgery for deaf and hearing-impaired people in Lambeth every Wednesday from 10am to 4pm.

Watch RAD's BSL video about this service.

The service is delivered by a fully trained RAD advisor who can give advice, information and support on a wide range of issues, such as:

  • filling in forms for benefits
  • translating English to BSL
  • making telephone calls
  • understanding bills
  • contacting your local council
  • signposting to specialist services

The surgery takes place at 336 Brixton Road, SW9 7AA.

You can book a face-to-face or video call appointment with an advisor. Please make an appointment by:

To access further resources for deaf/hard of hearing support, visit the RAD website.

Lambeth Deaf Group

This self-organised group for deaf British Sign Language users in Lambeth meets on the last Thursday of each month at Clapham Library.

To find out more about the group, text 078 6018 1330 our use WhatsApp or IMO.

Join the Lambeth Deaf Group on Facebook

Clapham Deaf Club

This social club for deaf people meets every Wednesday from 7.00pm to 11.00pm in Clapham North.

Find out more about Clapham Deaf Club.

London Fire Brigade

London Fire Brigade (LFB) offer free home fire safety visits. It can also fit flashing smoke detectors for you.

Contact the LFB to book a fire safety by: