Appointment day
How much time should I allow before arriving for my childs appointment?
Parking spaces are limited on the hospital site, so please allow plenty of time to park so you arrive in good time for your appointment. Information regarding parking charges can be found here:
Contact Us (northamptongeneral.nhs.uk)
What does a visit to the Childrens Hearing Clinic involve?
Most of the hearing assessments we conduct are based on play so hopefully after their potential initial apprehension of entering the clinic they will have fun and not realise we are testing.
We will attempt to look in their ears and some of the assessments do involve headphones, earphones, headbands, and small tips being put in the entrance of their ear. None of these hurts, but we are very aware of how children may react to such things.
We will work with you and your child to get as much of the assessment completed and we have several fun alternatives and techniques to do this. Most of our patients leave our department having had a fun time and the hearing assessment complete. We may have to invite you back for a further appointment but the reasons for this will be explained to you. We are very used to adjusting the appointment to suit the individual child and family.
The link below tells you more about the tests we may attempt:
CHC leaflet
What will happen at the appointment?
- The audiologist will perform and interpret the hearing assessment and explain the results to parents.
- They will discuss the hearing levels and explain the type and degree of any hearing loss.
- The audiologist will refer and liaise with other agencies as necessary (with parental consent) and advise on intervention required (ENT, paediatricians, Speech & Language etc).
There are several outcomes from this initial appointment:
- Hearing is satisfactory and child is discharged
- Hearing is satisfactory but the child’s medical history requires hearing to be monitored by the clinic
- Temporary hearing loss is identified (Glue ear/ Wax etc) and a follow up hearing assessment is required
- A permanent hearing loss is suspected, and an urgent review appointment will be made
- Testing is not completed, and a further appointment is required to finish the assessment
There are several outcomes from the review appointment:
- Hearing is satisfactory and child is discharged
- Hearing is satisfactory but the child’s medical history requires continued monitored by the clinic
- Temporary hearing loss still present (Glue ear/ Wax etc) and a referral to ENT will be offered. Non-surgical options are available: hearing monitoring/Bone conduction hearing aids are an option
- A permanent hearing loss is confirmed. This will be discussed in detail including options, investigations and treatments and potentially hearing aids. Your child’s hearing will be monitored until 18 years old and we will be here to support you every step of the way.
- Testing is not completed. We will discuss with you other ways of securing a hearing assessment and together we will put together a plan that you are comfortable with. This may include a hearing assessment whilst your child is asleep, under sedation and occasionally we will request a hearing assessment under General Anaesthetic.
If hearing aids are required:
- The audiologist will discuss the aiding options that are appropriate with you and your child and answer any questions you have.
- The audiologist will make custom made ear moulds if required or measure your child’s head if a Bone conduction aid is being considered.
- Digital hearing aids will be fitted, hearing will be monitored, and hearing aids repaired and replaced as necessary.
- The audiologist will assess use and benefit derived from any intervention.
- We will involve the support of the Teacher of the Deaf service (with parental consent) to support the family, child, and education.