Audiology

Adult audiology

The Audiology Department provides hearing services for adults and children in the same setting. Although hospital based, the adult service also operates regular clinics in community settings across the district, while the whole service retains an informal family friendly approach.

We are based in purpose built accommodation with specially designed sound proofed booths for a range of appointments, a loop installed at reception, and we are fully wheelchair accessible.
 
We offer new technology digital hearing aids and provide gateways to other support services.
 
As a department we are also able to offer a volunteer service coordinated by our own staff, links with the Deafness Support Network (DSN) and lip-reading classes.

Our services

• Adult hearing assessment.
• Direct access hearing aid referrals from GPs.
• Outreach clinics at Waters Green, Wilmslow, Handforth, Knutsford, Poynton and Congleton.
• Digital hearing aid fittings and ongoing support and maintenance.
• Adult domiciliary visits
• Tinnitus rehabilitation
• Diagnostic support for ENT clinics
• Paediatric diagnostic assessments
• Paediatric digital hearing aid fitting
• Universal newborn hearing screening

More information

For more information on Adult Audiology please contact the following numbers:

• 01625 661716

• 01625 663229

Paediatric Audiology

We see children 0-19 years suspected of having a hearing loss.

We diagnose:

• Children and babies with sensorineural hearing loss (mild to profound).
• Children with Otitis media with effusion (glue ear).
• Suspected hearing loss in children with complex needs.

We manage

• Permanent childhood hearing loss of all degrees
• Otitis media with effusion (glue ear)
• Single sided deafness and non-organic hearing loss
• Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder

Referrals

We accept referrals from:

• GPs
• Health visitors
• School nurses
• Paediatricians
• Speech and language therapists
• Teachers of the deaf

The procedures

We perform the following procedures:

• Otoacoustic emission testing
• Auditory brainstem response testing, including test for Cochlear Microphonic
• Visual reinforcement audiometry in the soundfield and with ear inserts
• Distraction testing
• Free-field and play audiometry
• Pure tone audiometry (with masking)
• Speech audiometry
• Speech discrimination testing at developmentally appropriate level in sound-field and in background noise
• Tympanometry and Stapedial Reflex measurement
• High frequency tympanometry
• Simple tests of vestibular function
• Assessment and referral for cochlear implantation

The treatments

• Hearing aid fitting using modernisation of children’s hearing aid services
• Protocols including real ear measurements
• Ear mould service for hearing aid wearers
• Multidisciplinary habilitation

Paediatric team

• Clinical scientist (Audiology)
• Visiting clinical scientist (Audiology) – one session per week
• One part time assistant audiologist
• Part time clerical support

More information

Lead Clinician: Jackie Caddick, 01625 661754