Integrated & Community Services - Adult Hearing Assessment

What have I been referred for?

You have been referred to your local Audiology Service for a hearing assessment.

What do I need to do prior to my appointment?

The practitioner who referred you should have checked your ears for wax before requesting this appointment.

Please complete any questionnaires that have been sent with the appointment letter.

What can I expect to happen at the appointment?

The appointment will be carried out by an audiologist and will last approximately one hour.

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 Consent can be withdrawn at any time.

What happens during the tests?

The audiologist will look in your ears and a test may be performed to check your eardrum and middle ear.

For the hearing test, you will be presented with sounds and asked to press a button each time you hear the sound.

What happens next?

Once the tests are completed the audiologist will discuss the results with you and the treatment options you have. Depending on your test results, we may recommend further investigations. If a hearing loss is found you will be offered a trial of hearing aids.

The NHS provides behind the ear digital hearing aids which vary in shape and size depending on your hearing loss. We keep up- to-date with the latest technologies to provide you with the most current digital hearing aids on the market.

The practitioner who referred you for your hearing assessment will be informed of the outcome of your appointment. If you have any questions about this appointment please contact the audiology department on the telephone number on the back page of this leaflet.

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, then please contact the department

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 via post at:

Complaints Department, The Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, Unit 7/8 Whitney Court, Southlink Business Park, Hamilton Street, Oldham, OL4 1DB.

E-mail:  complaintsoffice.trust@nca.nhs.uk

Telephone: 0161 604 5800

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: 01706 674913
Email: NESaudiology@nca.nhs.uk
Website:  www.northerncarealliance.nhs.uk

Find us on Facebook for more updates and advice @BuryOldhamHMRAudiology

Other useful contacts:

Action on Hearing Loss 19 - 23 Featherstone St, London, EC1Y 8SL
Telephone: 0808 808 0123
www.actionhearingloss.org.uk

We are an accreditated UKAS Service (8172) in accordance with the UKAS schedule of accreditation that can be found at:
What is UKAS accreditation?

After your appointment we would be grateful if you could provide us with your feedback on your experience with our service.