Healthy ear information
The Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) project aims to improve access to ENT services across the Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service (TCHHS).
This page contains resources for use in all facilities that will guide referral processes and facilitate hearing and ear health management.
These documents are particularly useful for child and maternal health workers from Queensland Health (Cairns and Hinterland, Torres and Cape, Deadly Ears), Royal Flying Doctor Service, Apunipima Cape York Health Council and other non-government organisations.
Resources
- Ear Health assessment form (PDF 186 kB)
- Healthy Ears poster (PDF 655 kB)
- can be laminated
- Healthy Ears appointment sticker (PDF 53 kB)
- can be printed on 98mm x 38mm adhesive printed labels
- used as appointment reminders for any hearing or ear associated appointments, including speech pathology
- Referral flow poster A3 landscape (PDF 476 kB) | A3 Portrait (PDF 628 kB)
- Referral checklist (PDF 170 kB)
Hardcopies of these resources are available by contacting the ENT team
Referral criteria
Medical Officers
Complete Ear Health assessment form (PDF 186 kB) and refer directly to ENT team
For urgent or unsafe ear conditions such as the following:
- Cholesteatoma
- Ongoing pain
- Significant retraction
- Unusual presentation
- Physical / Structural abnormalities (cleft palate, craniofacial abnormalities)
For ear and hearing problems >3 months, such as the following:
- Recurrent AOM
- 3 episodes in last 6 months; or
- 4 episodes in 12 months
- CSOM
- more than 3 months
- despite compliance with topical antibiotics
- with hearing loss >45dB (better ear)
- Dry perforation
- more than 3 months
- with hearing loss >25dB
- Persistent OME
- bilateral for more than 3 months
- with hearing loss >25dB
- Clearance for hearing aid fitting
Any health professional
Refer to Audiology and/or Speech Pathology for any of the following:
- Speech and language delay
- Family / school concerns
- Any ear condition (OME, CSOM, dry perforation) greater than 3 months
ENT Project team contact information
Administration | phone: (07) 4082 3693
Clinical Nurse Consultant / Coordinator | phone: (07) 4082 3646
