Expanding community audiology services 

A drop-in service helping people access repairs to hearing aids or information about their conditions is to be further rolled out across Scotland over the next year. 

Community Care Minister Alison Thewliss announced plans to expand RNID’s “Near You” community service nationally - supporting people with their hearing aids and providing aftercare where alternative arrangements are not already in place. RNID is a national charity supporting 1.5 million people in Scotland who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus.

The Near You service already operates in five health boards as an alternative to hospital-based support. 

The Minister earlier met organisations including the RNID and NHS board officials to discuss how to enhance community audiology services over future months and years - including moving services into the community.  

The meeting fulfils a commitment for the first 100 days of this government and aims to reduce the amount of time spent waiting for hearing loss-related hospital appointments. RNID research suggests the number of people affected by deafness, hearing loss or tinnitus is expected to increase as the population ages. 

The Minister said: 

 
“Hearing loss affects one in three adults and I was interested - and at times moved - to hear from people and their families about the invaluable impact of the Near You service. 

“We are committing to rolling out the RNID Near You service nationally, where alternative local arrangements are not in place. This means communities across the country will be able to access an invaluable service which is maintaining hearing aids, helping people manage their conditions and access peer support networks that are vital for wellbeing. 

“More generally, the Scottish Government is working to shift the diagnosis and treatment of uncomplicated, age-related hearing loss into the community to support acute services and bring care closer to home. Thanks to our focus and the hard work of staff, activity in our NHS is up, long waits are down and rolling out community services remains my laser focus.” 

Crystal Rolfe, Director of Health at RNID, said:

"We welcome the Scottish Government's support on the expansion of our RNID Near You services in Scotland and their engagement with stakeholders on wider improvements to audiology services.

“These are important first steps in helping more people access the support they need for their hearing health closer to home. Our friendly staff and volunteers provide free, practical support, whether that's help with hearing aids, tips and advice on hearing loss or signposting to access other audiology services.

"Timely access to the full range of audiology services, from diagnostics and treatment through to ongoing aftercare, is critical. Looking after your hearing health can have a significant impact on quality of life, improving physical, social and emotional wellbeing."

Background

RNID Near You: our local support services - RNID. 

Prevalence of deafness and hearing loss - RNID

Near You services already operates in NHS Borders, Fife, Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Lothian and Shetland using £200,0000 of Scottish Government funding. 

The 2026-27 Scottish Budget underlines the commitment to improve services by increasing funding for community audiology policy development – including further roll-out of Near You – by £1 million.