Hearing loss registration and benefits
Registration simply means being on your local social service’s register of people who are:
- Deaf with speech
- Deaf without speech
- Hard of hearing
It's voluntary and is completely confidential and your details won’t be shared.
How do I register myself as someone who is deaf, deafened or hard of hearing?
Get a referral to your local audiologist
Visit your GP for an initial assessment. Your GP will refer you to Specsavers (NHS Any Qualified Provider (AQP)) or to the main Audiology Clinic if you have a complex hearing loss i.e. if you have:
- one-sided deafness
- balance or tinnitus issues
- sudden deafness
- much more
If you meet the criteria for provision of NHS hearing aids
A hearing test will be completed and NHS digital hearing aids may be issued on the same day depending on the outcome of your hearing assessment.
Always ask for a copy of your audiogram for your records and future reference as this is required for registration purposes.
Your audiogram shows the level of deafness across the high and low frequencies and whether you have a mild, moderate, severe or profound level of deafness.
Apply to Staffordshire Cares
You can then apply to Staffordshire Cares:
Phone: 0300 111 8010
Text: 0796 673 8920
They will need to see a copy of your audiogram as proof to determine level of registration.
There are 3 levels:
- Deaf with speech
- Deaf without speech
- Hard of hearing
Once this has been confirmed, they will send you a registration card, certificates and information on the benefits and concessions you may be entitled to.
What are the advantages of registering?
There are some advantages to getting registered. Firstly, it can make life easier by enabling you to claim a number of concessions. These include leisure or entertainment discounts and free or reduced costs in using public transport.
The concessions you are entitled to depend on whether you are registered as deaf with speech, deaf without speech or hard of hearing.
Although being registered does not automatically entitle you to any particular welfare benefits, it does often make it easier for you to claim some of them. Your registration confirms your level of deafness and can help as evidence in your claim.
Your local council will often give you a registration card that proves your registration status. Having this card can help to prove your entitlement to concessions, including when you’re visiting places of interest.
Benefits and concessions
Further information on how to get registered, criteria and benefits and concessions you may be entitled to can be found on the Royal National Institute for Deaf People (RNID) website.
Alternatively you can contact Action on Hearing Loss on: