Free hearing aid battery scheme launches across ONFife Libraries

ONFife Libraries have launched a new free service across the region for those who use NHS hearing aids, offering more convenient access to much needed replacement batteries throughout the year.

Customers can simply visit any ONFife Library to obtain replacement batteries for their NHS hearing aids – no appointment is necessary, simply pop in remembering to take along either the yellow audiology log book, audiology business card or battery card and two free packs of batteries will be supplied.

Carol Sinclair, Head of Audiology for NHS Fife said: “This scheme demonstrates an excellent example of partnership working and expands the existing battery distribution service provided at local health clinics, GP surgeries, community hospitals and the Audiology Departments located at Victoria and Queen Margaret Hospitals.”

Cllr David Graham, Fife Council’s Spokesperson for Health & Social Care said: “This is a fantastic service giving people in our communities the opportunity to go along to their local library to collect their batteries making it much easier and more convenient than having to travel the fair distances that many have had to in the past. The scheme also gives the opportunity to free up appointments in Fife’s audiology departments making the service better for the people who need the service most.”

Heather Stuart, Chief Executive of Fife Cultural Trust said: “We are delighted that ONFife Libraries are able to offer this facility in partnership with NHS Fife Audiology Services. By providing this service we continue to build on a successful partnership which has seen book prescription services and cultural prescriptions being offered to residents of Fife. As well as being able to pick up replacement batteries, new visitors are also free to discover and make use of the various other services available in ONFife libraries.”

Glenrothes resident Joan Howell, who is an early adopter of the service, said: “I go to the Walk On sessions at the Rothes Halls library to get some exercise and then listen to themed talks about books. I was pleased to discover that replacement hearing aid batteries could now be collected at the library, when I'm there for the Tuesday talks and when I'm borrowing books, as this saves me having to make a special journey.”

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