Welcome to Audiology. An information guide

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1 TO PROVIDE THE VERY BEST CARE FOR EACH PATIENT ON EVERY OCCASION Welcome to Audiology An information guide

2 Welcome to Audiology The Audiology Department at North Manchester General Hospital is a specialist clinic for the assessment and rehabilitation of hearing problems, tinnitus (ringing in the ears) or balance disorders. We will do our upmost to ensure you receive high quality care and we welcome feedback regarding our services. You are very welcome to bring someone with you to any or all of your appointments and we will always try to accommodate any special requirements you may have. After being referred to the department (usually by your GP), there are a number of common procedures which you might undergo during your visit. Details of these procedures are contained in this leaflet and your appointment letter should inform you of the specific procedure you will be having. If you have any doubts or queries, please ring us for more information on Discussion of history Your audiologist will be required to ask some questions about the reasons for your attendance at the department and about your general health. This is routine and provides some background to your complaint which may help with your diagnosis. Ear examination Your audiologist will use a special light (otoscope) to examine your outer ear, ear canal and ear drum. This will detect any abnormality of the outer ear structures. 2

3 Hearing assessment Adults - hearing is assessed by the presentation of sounds through headphones. You will be asked to respond (usually by pressing a button) when you hear the sounds and these sounds will be measured to the very quietest level at which you can hear them. The test usually takes approximately minutes. Children once again, the hearing test is designed to obtain information about the quietest sounds the child can hear, however this is usually done by using some kind of listening game. Often the child will be encouraged to look at a picture or animation when they hear the sounds. Occasionally, in the case of neonatal or very young children, the test will be done automatically whilst they are asleep. These tests vary in length, from a few minutes to an hour or so your appointment letter should explain how long the test might take. Impression for a hearing aid mould or swimming plug If it is recommended, and if you then decide to try a hearing aid, it may be necessary to take a cast, or impression, of your ear to make your personalised ear piece. A small piece of sponge or cotton will be placed just inside the opening to the ear canal to protect the ear drum. Some soft material (like putty) will be syringed into the outer part of the ear. After a few minutes this will set hard and will be removed, along with the sponge or cotton. The impression will then be sent away to be manufactured into your personalised product. Hearing aid fitting and review Your hearing aid will be fitted and checked. The fitting appointment usually takes about an hour and during this time the hearing aid will be programmed to your needs and tested whilst in 3

4 your ear. You will also be shown how to operate the hearing aid and it will be explained how best to seek assistance in the future. Your progress will be reviewed a few weeks later, either by appointment or by a telephone call from your audiologist. Balance testing and rehabilitation The audiologist will assess the function of your balance organ. These tests may involve some positional changes (lying down on a couch) or irrigating your ears (like ear syringing) with warm and/or cool water to stimulate the balance organ and to measure its response. This response is usually measured by the wearing of goggles which can automatically record involuntary movement of your eyes during the test. It is normal to feel quite dizzy in places, however whilst sometimes a little unpleasant, this dizziness does not last more than a couple of minutes. When you leave the department you should not continue to feel dizzy. At the end of the assessment you may be provided with some balance retraining exercises to take home. These will be explained at your appointment and a review will be booked within a couple of months to check your progress. Ear wax removal (microsuction) Microsuction is considered the gold standard technique for ear wax removal. Your audiologist or nurse practitioner will remove your ear wax by using gentle suction to pull the wax from the ear canal. It should not be a painful procedure although it can be somewhat noisy and feel a little strange on occasion. It does not normally take more than a few minutes to complete the procedure. (It is often helpful to instil olive oil to soften the wax prior to removal and this may have been explained to you at the time of booking your appointment). 4

5 Contact details If you have any further queries please contact the department on and we will do our best to answer any questions. Alternatively feel free to ask your audiologist any relevant question during your consultation and they will do their utmost to assist you. 5

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8 If English is not your frst language and you need help, please contact the Ethnic Health Team on Jeżeli angielski nie jest twoim pierwszym językiem i potrzebujesz pomocy proszę skontaktować się z załogą Ethnic Health pod numerem telefonu For general enquiries please contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) on For enquiries regarding clinic appointments, clinical care and treatment please contact and the Switchboard Operator will put you through to the correct department / service Date of publication: June 2014 Date of review: August 2014 Date of next review: August 2017 Ref: PI (SU)_849 The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust Wood pulp sourced from sustainable forests