The walk-in service was closed in March due to a lack of space. But patients who had their hearing aids serviced there say they were not made aware of the change.

Violet Dean, secretary of Pensioners' Voice, said: "The hospital serves people in Edgware, Harrow and Brent. There's quite a big catchment area and there has been no consultation as far as we are aware."

Stan Davison, the group's chairman, added: "To have a community hospital without such a basic service is nonsensical."

A hospital spokeswoman said that patients had been made aware of the change when they attended the drop-in centre, and through leaflets.

"We do understand there should have been more communication," she said.

Kathleen Reffell, 79, of Deansbrook Road, Edgware, who wears a hearing aid, said: "I have had two hip replacements and for disabled people like myself, it's very difficult to get to Barnet Hospital, in Wellhouse Lane, Barnet. They say just post your hearing aid to Barnet and they'll post them back to you', but it means disabled people are without a hearing aid for a week and they can get lost in the post. I think it's a disgrace."

The hospital spokeswoman said people could drop off their hearing aids at Edgware and pick them up the next day, or post them to Barnet or Edgware hospitals and either pick them up themselves or have them posted back.

Other options include taking the bus service from Edgware Community Hospital to Barnet Hospital, or travelling to the walk-in service at Barnet, open daily from 10am to 1pm.

Housebound patients can also be visited by the audiology team.

By Alex Galbinski