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Deafness and hearing loss

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Some people are born deaf and may use British Sign Language (BSL) to communicate. For others, hearing loss develops gradually over time, although it can sometimes occur suddenly.

This information is for:

  • Cambridgeshire residents who are Deaf, deafened, or hard of hearing, including adults and young people approaching adulthood
  • family members and carers
  • professionals and partner organisations looking to refer or signpost someone for support

Common signs of hearing loss

Signs include:

  • difficulty hearing people clearly, especially in noisy places such as restaurants or group conversations
  • frequently asking others to repeat themselves
  • turning up the TV, radio, or music volume higher than others prefer
  • difficulty hearing on the phone
  • trouble hearing doorbells, alarms, or identifying where sounds are coming from

When to seek medical advice

If you’re concerned about your hearing, it’s important to contact your GP as a first step. If you experience sudden hearing loss in one or both ears, seek urgent medical attention. You may also find it helpful to learn more about hearing loss, including its symptoms, causes and treatment options, on the NHS website: Hearing loss - NHS

Deafblindness

Deafblindness is a combined sight and hearing impairment that can affect a person's ability to communicate, access information, and move around independently. It is also known as dual sensory loss.

The Sensory Service provides information, advice, and specialist assessments for people who are deafblind, as well as their families and carers.

Local and national organisations that can offer support, advice and specialist services.

  • Cambridgeshire Deaf Association (CDA) - advocacy, social groups and specialist services for Deaf people
  • Hearing Help - offers a befriending scheme and community groups. They also run a network of local drop-ins where NHS hearing aid users can get assistance with repairs, battery changes, and general maintenance
  • RNID - a national charity providing information, equipment advice and community support
  • British Deaf Association (BDA) - membership organisation representing Deaf people who use British Sign Language (BSL).

Local audiology and hearing test centres

Tip: When you attend your hearing test, ask for a copy of your audiogram to keep for your records.

NHS audiology

High street and community providers

Specsavers (selected branches)

Boots Hearingcare

Cambridge, Ely, St Neots, Newmarket, Peterborough, tel: 0345 270 1600

The Hearing Care Partnership

OutsideClinic (home visits)

Tel: 0800 60 50 40

OutsideClinic website

Registering as deaf or hard of hearing is voluntary. You do not need to be registered to receive advice or support from us.

Why register?

If you choose to register:

  • your details will be securely recorded within Adult Social Care
  • registration may support access to certain benefits in the future
  • you may be entitled to travel concessions, such as a Disabled Persons Railcard
  • accurate local information helps us plan and improve services.

What you will need

If you have recently undergone a hearing test, please provide a copy of your audiogram (hearing test result).

How registration works

The Technology Enabled Care Services (TECS) team will

  • confirm your personal details
  • discuss your communication needs
  • review your audiogram

We use deaf and hard of hearing audiogram guidance to assess eligibility. If eligible, you will be registered as one of the following:

  • hard of hearing
  • deaf with speech
  • deaf without speech

When your registration is approved, you will receive a registration card in the post.

Start your registration

Please download a paper application form

All completed forms and your audiogram results should be returned directly to TECS.

Technology Enabled Care Services (TECS)
TECS, Cambridgeshire County Council
Amundsen House Annex
18 Stocks Bridge Way
St. Ives
PE27 5BQ

Email: TECS@cambridgeshire.gov.uk

Cambridgeshire County Council's Technology Enabled Care Services (TECS) team provides training, advice, and guidance on assistive technology for residents, professionals, and partner organisations across Cambridgeshire.

We offer a wide range of equipment available on loan to help people with hearing impairments remain safe, independent, and well in their own homes. Our technology solutions can support everyday living, improve communication, and provide reassurance for individuals and their families.

TECS also works closely with families and unpaid carers, helping to build confidence that loved ones are safe, supported, and able to live as independently as possible.

Our services help people to:

  • stay safe and independent at home
  • maintain wellbeing and quality of life
  • provide reassurance to family members and carers
  • access information and support on assistive technology

To find out more about how TECS can support you or someone you care for, please get in touch.

Phone: 01480 378 160 (9am–5pm, Monday to Friday; answerphone available outside these hours)

Relay UK: If you cannot hear or speak on the phone, dial 18001 then 01480 378 160. Find out more on the Relay UK website.

Referral to Technology Enabled Care Services (TECS)

You can be referred to TECS in several ways:

  • Audiology Services - with your consent, audiology staff can complete and submit the online Hearing Referral Form on your behalf
  • Self-referral - you can complete the Hearing Referral Form yourself, either online or using a paper form
  • partner organisations - with your consent, organisations such as the Cambridgeshire Deaf Association can refer you to TECS by email
  • Adult Social Care teams - Adult Social Care practitioners can make referrals directly to TECS

What to expect from a TECS assessment

As part of your TECS assessment, we will:

  • confirm your personal details
  • record and update your communication needs and preferences
  • discuss any concerns you may have and identify any support needs or risks
  • provide information, advice and guidance
  • where appropriate, arrange equipment on loan to help you remain safe and independent at home

More information about how assistive technology, and the TECS team can support you.

Referral routes to TECS (quick reference)

Audiology

  • Submit referrals using the online Hearing Referral Form.
  • Paper referral forms can be used where required.

Self-referral

  • Individuals can complete the same referral form, either online or in paper format.

Partner agencies

  • May refer by emailing TECS with the individual's consent.
  • Alternatively, signpost individuals to complete the online referral form themselves.

Adult social care teams

  • Submit a Mosaic referral directly to TECS.

Printable form to register as deaf or hard of hearing

Deaf and Hard of Hearing application form2.25MB–word
Size: 2.25MBFile format: word

Contact Technology Enabled Care Services (TECS)

TECS, Cambridgeshire County Council
Amundsen House Annex
18 Stocks Bridge Way
St. Ives
PE27 5BQ

Email: TECS@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
Phone: 01480 378 160
Hours: 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday
Out of hours: Answerphone available
Relay UK: If you cannot hear or speak on the phone, dial 18001 then 01480 378 160. Find out more on the Relay UK website.