The NHS in Birmingham and Solihull is working with GPs on a pilot scheme to enable you to have direct access to high street audiology services, if you are eligible, rather than visiting your GP practice.

Please visit the NHS website for guidance on what you should do if you’re experiencing hearing loss, as this will change depending on your symptoms.

It’s important that you get the right care from the right person.

For certain conditions, such as blocked ears caused by ear wax, you can visit your local pharmacist for expert advice and over the counter treatments. Please visit the NHS website to find your nearest local pharmacy. You can also find information on what your conditions your local pharmacist can help with, including earache, on the NHS website.

Depending on how severe your symptoms are, you may need to book an appointment with your GP surgery. Check Who is eligible for a free hearing check? and answer five quick questions to find out.

If your symptoms are less severe, a free hearing check at a local hearing specialist in Birmingham and Solihull is the right option for you.

Self-refer, or self-referral, means elligible patients are able to refer themselves to a health service, such as a hearing specialist, without having to see their GP first. It aims to ensure you are seen by an appropriate healthcare professional, as quickly as possible.

Check the Who is eligible to access this pilot scheme? to find out if you're eligible for this pilot scheme.

You need to be aged 18 or above and live in Birmingham and Solihull.

If you answer, yes to any of the questions below, please book an appointment with your GP practice instead.

  1. Do you have a persistent pain in your ear or ears that has lasted for more than seven days?
  2. Other than wax, do you have any discharge, such as a pus-like liquid, from your ear or ears?
  3. Do you have a sudden loss or deterioration of hearing?
  4. Do you have any sickness or dizziness? 
  5. Do you have any ringing, buzzing, whooshing, humming, hissing or throbbing in one or both of your ears?

You can find local hearing specialist locations and contact details via the map below. Please book an appointment by telephone and ask for a self-referral check, or visit your local hearing specialist on the high street.

Find your nearest hearing specialist

If you have any questions, please contact our Planned Care Team via email.

nhsbsolicb.plannedcarebsol@nhs.net