Technology Test Drive

Technology Test Drive offers deaf children and their families throughout the UK the opportunity to borrow radio aids and other equipment to assess in the comfort of their own homes and at school. 

Based on evidence gained about the benefits to the child of using this equipment, families, with the support of the NDCS, may be able to obtain the equipment from their local education authority or social services on a long-term basis.

Since the service was launched, the equipment has been regularly updated, so that the very latest radio aids are available. Radio aids can be borrowed for up to three months and other items for one or two months.

Technology Test Drive is provided to members free of charge.

Equipment available to borrow includes:

• alerting devices
• communication technology
• listening aids for TV and MP3 Players
• radio aids
• software.
  

If you are interested in borrowing any of these items, please contact our Freephone Helpline on 0808 800 8880 (voice/text) or by email at: helpline@ndcs.org.uk

If you would like to borrow equipment from Technology Test Drive, please read the following instructions carefully.

For the following types of equipment, you can complete and return an online form to request to borrow them:

• alerting devices,
• communication technology,
• listening aids for TV and MP3 players,
• software.
  

To borrow radio aids, click here and complete the relevant form. The form should then be returned to: 

Technology Test Drive
NDCS,
15 Dufferin Street,
London
EC1Y 8UR

If you have any questions at all regarding the equpiment or forms, please contact our Freephone Helpline on 0808 800 8880 (voice/text) or by email at: helpline@ndcs.org.uk

We are always pleased to receive your comments about Technology Test Drive, how useful you have found it and how you feel it could be improved.

It is also very helpful to know what you thought about the products you have tried and we always pass on your feedback to the manufacturers of the equipment.

Here are a few of the comments we have received recently:

Comments from a nine year old boy who tried a Microlink-BAHA with his bone anchored hearing aid:

"I can even hear the teacher when the children near me are talking."

"I don't get so tired."

"My friends can wear the transmitter when we're working in pairs or small groups and I can follow what they're saying."