The Hearing Impairment Team supports children and adults who are D/deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind and their carers. If you or someone you know has difficulties due to being profoundly deaf or an acquired hearing loss that cannot be corrected by hearing aids) we may be able to help.

How we can help

Firstly, we can have a discussion with you about how you manage day to day. Following this, we may be able to offer you support to help combat any difficulties. The support may include things like:

• information and advice
• signposting to other agencies
• deaf and hearing impairment awareness guidance
• a specialist assessment - where we discuss your difficulties in more depth.

Following an assessment you may be eligible for:

• specialist equipment
• a direct payment to purchase equipment or practical support
• home visits
• carer’s assessment

Our aim is to enable you to live as independently as possible in the community.

Contact the Deaf and Hearing Impairment Team

For advice and information or to request an assessment please contact:

Deaf and Hearing Impairment Team 
Bedford Borough Council 
Borough Hall
Cauldwell Street 
Bedford
MK42 9AP

Tel: 01234 718318 (office)
Tel: 07748 760192(mobile)

WhatsApp: you can also video message, or video chat via WhatsApp in BSL (please text first to arrange).

Email: hearingimpairment@bedford.gov.uk

Useful links

Local

• Access Bedford
• Bedfordshire Hearing Advisory Service

National

• National Registers of Communication Professionals working with Deaf and Deafblind People (NRCPD)
• Royal National Institution for Deaf People (RNID)
• Royal Association Deaf People (RAD)
• Hearing Dogs for Deaf People