Audiology

The Newborn Hearing Screening Programme is provided across Sunderland, South Tyneside and Gateshead.

Babies who are referred from the screen are seen for detailed audiological assessment by experienced staff.

Referral Criteria/Screen Eligibility

All babies born or resident in England under three months of age. Babies who have atresia (absent ear canals) or who have recovered from confirmed/suspected meningitis are excluded from the screen and should be referred directly to Audiology.

Babies who are referred from the screen for Audiological Assessment will follow the NHSP Followup Pathway.

Babies should be referred early and we aim to assess within 28 days of referral or 44 weeks PCA.

Babies who miss the screen, where a risk factor for hearing loss is identified or where there is concern regarding hearing under the age of 12 months can be referred by the Health Visitor/GP using the referral form, which you can find in our documents library. 

The clinical lead is:

Clinical Lead (Local Director): Ed Brown

Local Manager: Linda Baglin

The Children’s Hearing Aid Service provides a comprehensive assessment, prescription, verification, evaluation and review service using high quality hearing aids. The service follows appropriate national guidance, pathways and protocols where appropriate.

There is direct access for children aged 0-4 years and children aged 5-18 years.

The service has an excellent reputation and our staff regularly contribute to national training courses and support information weekends run by the National Deaf Children’s Society.

Details of the Children’s Hearing Aid Service pathway can be found here. 

Any referrals should be made using the children’s hearing assessment referral form, which you can find in our documents library.

The clinical lead is:

Overall Clinical Lead: Ed Brown 

Lead 0-4 years: Stella Devlin 

Lead 5-18years: Deb Heatlie 

The Audiology Department provides an inclusive Adult Hearing Aid Service, using a range of high quality devices.

A comprehensive hearing aid service is provided, which comprises assessment, fitting, follow up, repair and maintenance for three years.

There are three referral routes for patients requiring a hearing aid:

· Direct Access Age Under 50

· Self Referral Age 50 and over

· Any Qualified Provider (AQP) Age 50 & over (Age related – must meet BAA referral criteria)

· Ear Nose And Throat (for example if there are associated ENT symptoms)

Please note that a patient is not entitled to a new hearing aid pathway if they have had an NHS funded hearing aid within the last three years (this includes patients fitted under AQP by an independent/High Street provider).

If the patient requires batteries, repairs, are dissatisfied with their hearing aid or it needs adjustment then they should be directed to their existing provider.

Patients are reviewed after three years to assess whether their needs are still met by their provision. Please note that this does not necessarily mean hearing aids will need to be upgraded – it may be that the existing hearing aids simply need to be adjusted.

If the patient requires a review or a repair of their existing provision a new referral is not required – please contact the Audiology Department to arrange this.

Repairs or reviews can be requested by the patient by contacting 0191 569 9001 or stsft.audiology@nhs.net

Patients fitted by another provider within the last 3 years should be directed back to them for any repairs, batteries or if they are dissatisfied with their provision or think the hearing aids need adjusting. Click here for the Adult Hearing Aid Service pathway. The Direct Access Hearing Aids referral form can be found in our documents library.

The clinical lead is:

Clinical lead: Brian Pinkney

Assessment is available for patients with specialised or complex needs. These may include:

• Assessment of patients with Complex Needs/Learning Disabilities
• Assessment of Non Organic Hearing Loss
• Assessment of Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) 
• Assessment of Asymmetric Hearing Loss
• Assessment of those unable to perform Pure Tone Audiometry
• Extended Assessment and Rehabilitation Service (EARS)
• Preliminary assessment for Cochlear Implantation

Referrals should be made using the Non-Routine Audiology Assessment referral form, which you can find in our documents library. 

The clinical lead is:
Clinical Lead: Lynzee McShea
 

Hearing aid provision is complemented by the hearing therapy service. Lip reading classes are provided and there is a tinnitus service. The department can arrange demonstrations of a wide range of assistive listening devices.

Balance assessment is undertaken using a full range of techniques. Rehabilitation is also provided for those diagnosed with a vestibular problem. We have good links with Physiotherapy, Care of the Elderly and the Ear, Nose and Throat Department to promote recovery and symptom management.

Referrals should be made using the referral form for Balance Assessment and Rehabilitation, which you can find in our documents library. 

The clinical lead is:

Clinical Lead: Kimberley Novis

• British Academy of Audiology
• British Society of Audiology
• Newborn Hearing Screening Programme
• National Deaf Children's Society
• Health Professions Council
• British Tinnitus Association
• Action on Hearing Loss