Audiology - Paediatric Hearing Assessment

Who should attend the appointment?

Your child has been referred for a hearing assessment.

Children should attend their appointment with an adult, preferably a parent or guardian. For any treatment or onward referrals consent from the person with parental/legal responsibility would be required.

Please only bring the child whose appointment it is so that the child being tested is not distracted during testing.

Please bring your red book with you (parent held child health record).

Please contact us via telephone or email if there is any specific information you feel may help us to improve your child's experience at the appointment.

What can I expect to happen at the appointment?

The appointment will be carried out by an audiologist or a consultant paediatrician in audiology. It will last approximately 30 minutes, however, testing can sometimes take longer.

You will be asked about your child's hearing and any other relevant medical history. The tests will be explained to you and you will have an opportunity to ask questions. You will need to give verbal consent prior to the tests being carried out, however, this can be withdrawn at any time.

What happens during the tests?

A variety of child friendly hearing tests will be used to assess your child’s hearing depending on the development and age of your child. The audiologist may look in your child’s ears and perform a test to check their eardrum and middle ear. This involves having a soft tip held at the entrance of the ear for a few seconds and a feeling of a change in air pressure in the ear canal.

What happens next?

Once the tests are completed the audiologist will explain the results to you and, if appropriate, discuss a care plan and the treatment options you have.

The results of the assessment will be sent in a report to your GP and any other health professionals that your child sees. If you have any questions about this appointment, please contact the Audiology Department using the details at the end of this leaflet.

Scan the QR code below to find more information on our website https://www.northerncarealliance.nhs.uk/our-services

Additional information

• We accept calls from Relay formally known as Type talk
• Please contact the department in advance if an interpreter is required
• We are an accredited training centre and it is possible that a student may undertake some aspects of the appointment under supervision
• There is limited availability for parking
• If you would like any further information or have any special requirements, please contact the department using the details on the back page

Patient Advice and Liaison Service

The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) acts on behalf of service users, families and carers to negotiate prompt solutions and help bring about changes in the way that services are developed.

As well as providing a confidential advice and support service, PALS will help guide you through the different services available from the NHS.

Telephone: 0161 604 5897
Email: pals@nca.nhs.uk.

Alternatively, you can write to: PALS Department, The Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, Unit 7/8 Whitney Court, Southlink Business Park, Hamilton Street, Oldham, OL4 1DB.

Comments and complaints

We want to learn from comments and complaints about our services. If you have any, please speak with a member of staff. Every effort will be made to resolve any concerns and complaining will not cause any difficulties in your care with us.

You can also contact our Complaints Department, The Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, Unit 7/8 Whitney Court, Southlink Business Park, Hamilton Street, Oldham, OL4 1DB.
E-mail: office.complaints@nca.nhs.uk
Telephone: 0161 656 1141

Contact Us

Heywood, Middleton & Rochdale
Audiology Department, Floor One, Nye Bevan House, Maclure Road, Rochdale, OL11 1DN.

Bury
Audiology Department, Radcliffe Primary Care, 69 Church Street West, Radcliffe, Manchester, M26 2SP.

Oldham
Audiology Department, 4th Floor, Integrated Care Centre, New Radcliffe Street, Oldham, OL1 1NL.

Telephone: 0161 206 1438
Email: NESaudiology@nca.nhs.uk
Website:  www.northerncarealliance.nhs.uk
Find us on Facebook for more updates and advice @BuryOldhamHMRAudiology

After you attend your appointment, we would be grateful if you could provide us with feedback on your experience with our service by scanning the attached link:

Other useful contacts:

The National Deaf Children’s Society, Castle House, 37-45 Paul Street, London, EC2A 4LS.
Telephone 02074 908656 or email ndcs@ndcs.org.uk

We are an accredited UKAS Service (8172) in accordance with the UKAS schedule of accreditation that can be found at:
https://www.ukas.com/download-schedule/8172/IQIPS/