Hearing Assessment (WM)
Your GP has referred you to the Adult Hearing Aid Department at West Middlesex University Hospital for an assessment of your hearing.
What will happen at my appointment?
At this appointment we will verify your personal details. You will be asked some questions about your ears, general health and any situations in which you are having difficulty hearing.
We will then look into your ears and check that they are healthy and free of wax. 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.
We will explain the hearing test results to you. If you decide that you would like to try hearing aids we will demonstrate what type is suitable for your specific hearing loss levels. All of our hearing aids are the latest digital behind-the-ear style. We recommend, if appropriate, that a hearing aid is worn in each hear with a relevant hearing loss as this provides better perception of speech and sound localisation.
Depending on the level of hearing loss, we may need to take impressions of your ears on the same day. This is a painless procedure which involves having a small sponge and some soft putty inserted into you ear for a few minutes.
If you decide to proceed with having a hearing aid fitted, we will schedule your next appointment for you. Depending on the outcome of your hearing assessment, we may refer you to the Ear, Nose & Throat Department (with your consent). We will send your GP a letter regarding the outcome of your hearing assessment.
Who will I be seen by?
All hearing assessments are carried out by a qualified Audiologist, who is registered with the Registration Council for Clinical Physiologists. We are a teaching hospital so on occasion there may also be a student present in the appointment or you may be seen by a student supervised by an Audiologist. If you are not comfortable with this, please let us know when you check in for your appointment at the Audiology Reception desk.
How long will my appointment take?
The appointment will be allocated 30 minutes. We aim to see you on time but sometimes Audiology clinics can be unavoidably delayed. We will keep you informed if there is a delay to your appointment.
How do I prepare for my appointment?
Please ensure your ears are free of wax. If your ears are blocked with wax or you have an active infection in your ear we will not be able to carry out the hearing test.
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.
If you require hospital transport your GP needs to arrange this as it is your first appointment with Audiology.
If you wish to bring a family member, carer or friend to this appointment please feel free to do so.
Can I cancel my appointment?
If you need to cancel this appointment, you are only allowed to cancel your appointment twice. If you cancel a 3rd time you will be discharged back to your GP and will need a new referral.
If you fail to attend this appointment, you will be discharged back to your GP’s care and will need a new referral. This is in line with the Hospital Trust Policy.
PLEASE ARRIVE ON TIME FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT. PLEASE ENSURE YOUR MOBILE PHONE IS SWITCHED OFF PRIOR TO BEING CALLED INTO THE CONSULTING ROOM.