Contact your GP if you notice a problem with your hearing.
They may refer you to:
- the HSE audiology service
- an ear, nose and throat (ENT) consultant at a hospital
How the HSE audiology service can help
The HSE audiology service:
- helps adults with chronic hearing problems
- provides free hearing aids to adults with medical cards in Ireland
If you do not have a medical card
You may get some money towards the cost of hearing aids if you qualify for the Department of Social Protection's Treatment Benefit Scheme. But this will depend on your PRSI contributions.
Treatment Benefit Scheme - gov.ie
How ENT can help
ENT departments in hospitals treat acute hearing problems. They will assess and treat hearing problems with surgery or medicine if needed.
Going to an ENT appointment about your hearing
An ENT consultant may refer you to the HSE audiology service. They may do this if they think you have a longer-term (chronic) hearing problem that they cannot treat with surgery or medicine.