Hearing Assessment (WM)

Introduction

Your GP has referred you to the Audiology Department for a hearing assessment.

What will happen at my appointment?

We will ask you some questions about your ears and general health. We will talk through situations you are having difficulty hearing in. It would be helpful if you can give this some thought before you attend.

We will examine your ears to see if they are healthy. You will listen to a series of sounds presented through headphones and be asked to press a button every time you hear a sound. This allows us to measure the quietest sounds you are able to hear. Occasionally we may also do a pressure test to check how well your eardrums are moving and if you have any fluid behind your eardrum. All procedures will only be carried out with your consent.

Your test results will be explained and the treatment options available to you will be discussed. If you need have hearing aids and you choose to proceed, a further appointment will be booked to fit your hearing aid(s) and show you how to use them.

Depending on the outcome of your hearing assessment, we may refer you on to the Ear, Nose and Throat Department (with your consent). We will write back to your GP with the outcome of your hearing assessment.

How long will my appointment take?

Approximately between 45 minutes to one hour. We aim to see you on time but occasionally clinics can be unavoidably delayed. We will keep you informed of any delay to your appointment.

How do I prepare for my appointment?

Before the appointment, please ensure your ears are free of wax. Wax can block ears and affect the results of your hearing test. If your ears are blocked with wax, please see you practice nurse or GP for wax removal prior to your appointment.
If you wear glasses, please bring them along with you.

If you are eligible for hospital transport, please contact us to arrange it for you.
If you need an interpreter, do contact us for this to be arranged. We cannot guarantee availability of interpreters for all languages, so please arrange this well in advance.

You are welcome to bring a relative, close friend or carer with you to your appointment.

If you would prefer not to have a hearing assessment, please contact us as soon as possible so that we can offer this valuable appointment to someone else.

Can I cancel my appointment?

If you need to cancel your appointment, please call us as soon as possible. If you cancel your appointment more than two times, you will be discharged back to your GP and will need to be referred to our service again.

If you fail to attend this appointment, you will be discharged back to your GP’s care and will need a new referral in line with the Trust Policy.

Notes about your appointment

We are a teaching hospital so, on occasion, there may also be a student present in the appointment or a student supervised by an audiologist may see you. If you are not comfortable with this, please let us know when you check in for your appointment at the audiology reception desk.

We always try to see our patients at the time of their allocated appointment. Please ensure you arrive on time for your appointment.

Patient Advice & Liaison Service (PALS)

We value your opinion. If you have concerns or wish to give feedback about services, your care or treatment, we invite you to contact the PALS office: