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Paediatric Hearing loss / Concern (Audiology)

PAEDIATRIC

Minimum Referral Criteria

  • Category 1
    (appointment within 30 calendar days)
    • Sudden (≤ 1 week) onset off loss of hearing, unilateral or bilateral and not associated with outer or middle ear disease
    • Sudden onset deterioration
    • Post head trauma - hearing loss
    • Hearing loss associated with ear disease e.g. perforation, discharging ear
    • Fluctuating hearing loss not associated with colds etc.
    • Infection associated with hearing loss e.g. meningitis, active CMV
    • Extreme parental or medical concern and with significant hearing loss suspected
    • Infants who do not pass newborn hearing screening
  • Category 2
    (appointment within 90 calendar days)
    • Recently diagnosed unilateral/bilateral sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) or congenital hearing loss
    • Confirmed structural damage
    • Hearing loss in the setting of speech delay or educational handicap
    • Hearing loss requiring hearing aid authorisation
    • Strong parental or carer or medical concern regarding the child's hearing
    • Syndrome known to be related to hearing loss such as Down Syndrome
    • A close relative (child's parent or sibling) with a congenital hearing impairment
    • Request for sedation or GA ABR
    • Failed screening test
    • Infants who do not pass newborn hearing screening in one ear (Recommended time for appointment is within 6 Weeks)
    • Early Targeted Surveillance
    • Strong medical concern
    • Family History of permanent childhood hearing loss
  • Category 3
    (appointment within 365 calendar days)
    • Parental or carer is concerned regarding the child's hearing
    • Recent diagnosis of unilateral/bilateral conductive hearing loss

1. Reason for request Indicate on the referral

  • To establish a diagnosis
  • For treatment or intervention
  • For advice and management
  • For specialist to take over management
  • Reassurance for GP/second opinion
  • For a specified test/investigation the GP can't order, or the patient can't afford or access
  • Reassurance for the patient/family
  • For other reason (e.g. rapidly accelerating disease progression)
  • Clinical judgement indicates a referral for specialist review is necessary

2. Essential referral information Referral will be returned without this

  • Reason for referral
  • History including relevant symptoms
  • Description of:
    • hearing loss i.e. one or both sides if applicable
    • change in hearing loss (sudden, rapid or gradual) if applicable
    • failed screening results

3. Additional referral information Useful for processing the referral

  • Previous ENT History (If applicable)
  • Social modifiers i.e. effect on home schooling, out of home residence
  • Previous audiology/screening results if applicable
  • History including other medical or developmental issues (school delays)

4. Request

Last updated: 13 June 2023