Hearing therapy
What is hearing therapy?
If you have been referred to see the hearing therapy team it is because the audiologist (hearing specialist), ENT (ear, nose and throat) consultant, or GP think that you might benefit from further advice and guidance on how to manage your condition.
This appointment is an opportunity to speak with one of the specialist team about your condition. People referred to this service are concerned about a condition such as:
- Tinnitus (hearing sounds that come from inside your body, rather than from an outside source)
- Hyperacusis (being very sensitive to certain sounds)
- Hearing loss
- Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) (hearing difficulties caused by the brain not processing sounds in the normal way)
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 specific information about your Tinnitus, Hearing loss, APD or Hyperacusis.
We will give you advice on how to manage your condition. We might refer you to other services that can help further. Most people who attend this appointment are given information and reassurance about their condition and are able to manage it better afterwards. You will receive leaflets about your condition to take home with you.
Please ensure your mobile phone is switched off before you are called into the consulting room.
Please note: We cannot provide MRI results at your appointment.
Who will see me?
All hearing therapy appointments are carried out by a qualified audiologist or rehabilitation officer with advanced knowledge and experience in counselling people with tinnitus, hearing loss, APD or hyperacusis. The audiologist 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. 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 has been allocated for 60 minutes. We aim to see you on time but sometimes audiology clinics can be unavoidably delayed as someone in front of you may need more time. We will keep you informed if there is a delay to your appointment.
How do I prepare for my appointment?
If you need an interpreter please 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 please contact us well in advance to arrange this.
If you wish to bring a family member, carer or friend to this appointment please feel free to do so.
Can I reschedule my appointment?
If you need to reschedule or cancel your appointment, you are only allowed to do this twice. Please contact us soon as possible to rebook your appointment. Please note the hearing clinic has limited availability. If you miss your appointment, you will be discharged back to your GP’s care and will need a new referral.