Diagnostic balance assessments requested by an ENT consultant are undertaken by an Audiologist with a special interest in the Vestibular system.  The Vestibular system is the body’s sense that helps with such as things as movement, balance and spacial awareness etc. The Audiologist will take a history of the balance problems experienced by the patient and perform a range of tests.

Video goggles (Videonystagmography and video head impulse test) record the movements of the eyes to assess the Vestibular system during each test. Depending on the results and likely cause of the dizziness, the Audiologist may give the patient some exercises to complete at home or perform a manoeuvre to treat the dizziness.

Patients fitted with a hearing aid sometimes need to make a review appointment to see an Audiologist. The reason for a review varies; the benefit of amplification may fail to meet expectations (too loud / quiet / unclear), hearing can deteriorate or does not meet their individual needs. The Audiologist may retest the patient’s hearing and reassess the settings that are programmed in the hearing aid.

To make a review appointment please ring the repair line 01482 624734 . Due to the time and equipment needed for review appointments, patients can be waiting up to 6 weeks for an appointment.

When a patient is initially issued with a new hearing aid the Audiologist may add the patient to a routine review waiting list. This is to check how well the patient is adapting to the hearing aid and make sure they are getting the most benefit. Follow up reviews are generally booked 3 months after the fitting to allow time for the patient to adapt.

Pure Tone Audiometry (PTA) is a subjective, behavioural response to a range of tones (pitches of sound) at different levels. The quietest level the patient can hear each sound is their hearing threshold. The results are plotted on a graph called an audiogram. The hearing test helps provide a diagnostic opinion and determine an appropriate management strategy.

There are two care pathways by which a patient can receive an NHS hearing aid:

• Direct referral from a GP
• Referral from an ENT Consultant

Referral from GP (direct referral)

Patients referred by direct referral must meet certain criteria outlined by the British Academy of Audiology (BAA). Patients with a medical reason for their hearing loss must be referred to the ENT department first.

An Audiologist will take a medical history and carry out a hearing test to determine whether there are any relevant medical issues that require further investigation. The Audiologist will discuss appropriate management strategies, for example hearing aids if they are warranted.

Referral from ENT

Patients referred from ENT to Audiology are tested by an Audiologist, most often on the day of their ENT consultation. The ENT consultant may prescribe a hearing aid or medical treatment.

Starting the Process for an NHS Hearing Aid

A member of the Audiology department will discuss the benefits and limitations of a hearing aid based on the hearing thresholds of the patient. Patients are offered a right and left hearing aid (bilateral amplification) where that is considered the most appropriate based on the results of the hearing test and the difficulties the patient is having.

The impression(s) of the patient’s ear are sent to a manufacturer to be made into earmoulds. Some milder hearing losses may not require an earmould and the patient will be offered an open ear fit. A further appointment will be made for the hearing aid fitting.

At the fitting an Audiologist will programme the hearing aid to a prescription based on the hearing test results and a real ear measurement (REM). During the procedure a small tube will be placed in the ear and a range of sounds will be played from a speaker. This procedure shows how the ear canal affects the amplification of sound so that the Audiologist can make changes to the hearing aid to meet a prescribed target for amplification.

Once programmed, an explanation about controls, programmes, maintenance and additional counselling is given.

Guide for Aid with Open Fitting

Guide for Aid with Earmould

Please see Newborn Hearing Screening Programme

Children’s hearing can be assessed using different procedures based on their age and capabilities. Babies are screened at birth and may be referred to the Audiology department for further testing. See the Paediatric Service page for more information.

There are two care pathways how a patient can receive an NHS hearing aid:

Direct referral from a GP

Patients referred by direct referral must meet certain criteria outlined by the British Academy of Audiology (BAA). Patients with a medical reason for their hearing loss must be referred to the ENT department first.

An Audiologist will take a medical history and carry out a hearing test to determine whether there are any relevant medical issues that require further investigation. The Audiologist will discuss appropriate management strategies, for example hearing aids if they are warranted.

Referral from an ENT Consultant

Patients referred from ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat department) to Audiology are tested by an Audiologist, most often on the day of their ENT consultation. The ENT consultant may prescribe a hearing aid or medical treatment.

Pure Tone Audiometry (PTA) is a subjective, behavioural response to a range of tones (pitches of sound) at different levels. The quietest level at which the patient can hear each sound is their hearing threshold. The results are plotted on a graph called an audiogram. The hearing test helps provide a diagnostic opinion and determine an appropriate management strategy.

Patients may sometimes find that the hearing aid stops working, works intermittently, becomes damaged, becomes uncomfortable or begins to feedback (whistle). If this happens patients can contact the repair line – 01482 468356 for an appointment. Alternatively, patients can email audiology@hey.nhs.uk or text 07799895033. A charity called Action on Hearing Loss also provide drop in clinics for simple repairs. See our Repairs and Batteries page for more details.

Speech audiometry is a diagnostic test performed by an Audiologist. The Audiologist will play a series of words to the patient, instead of the tones used in a standard hearing test. This test is generally requested by the ENT department to give the consultant more information about speech perception.

A member of the Audiology department will discuss the benefits and limitations of a hearing aid based on the hearing thresholds of the patient. Patients are offered a right and left hearing aid (bilateral amplification) where that is considered the most appropriate, based on the results of the hearing test and the difficulties the patient is having.

Some patients with a mild hearing loss will be suitable for an open ear fit. Those with more moderate/severe hearing loss will need an impression taken of their ear(s) which are sent to a manufacturer to be made into ear moulds. A further appointment will be made for the hearing aid fitting.

At the fitting an Audiologist will programme the hearing aid to a prescription based on the hearing test results and a real ear measurement (REM). During the procedure a small tube will be placed in the ear and a range of sounds will be played from a speaker. This procedure shows how the ear canal affects the amplification of sound so that the Audiologist can make changes to the hearing aid to meet a prescribed target for amplification.

Once programmed, an explanation about controls, programmes, maintenance and additional counselling is given.

We offer group information sessions where we go through some causes and treatment options and one to one counselling sessions tailored to the needs of the patient. See the Tinnitus page for more information.