Paediatric Audiology

About the service

The Paediatric Audiology Service is based at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. The service provides audiological assessment and care for children of all ages, from birth to school leaving age.

Children may be referred to the service from many sources, including the Newborn Hearing Screeners, Health Visitors, General Practitioners and Ear, Nose and Throat Doctors. If you are concerned about your child’s hearing then you should contact your GP or Health Visitor.

The Paediatric Audiology Service is led by Claire Vine (Lead Clinical Scientist). The Paediatric Audiology team can be contacted on 01603 287284 or emailed at paedaudio@nnuh.nhs.uk.

What happens if a child is referred to the service?

If a child is referred to the service due to concern about their hearing, then they will be seen for assessment. This will include a hearing test that is appropriate to the age and ability of the child concerned. The degree and nature of any hearing loss is confirmed as quickly as possible, which may take more than one visit, and the effect of any hearing loss on the child is evaluated.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Audiological procedures available

We offer a range of hearing test techniques which are listed below.

• Otoscopy (ear examination)
• Tympanometry (a test of the middle ear)
• Transient Evoked & Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions (tests of the function of the cochlea)
• Auditory Brainstem Response (a test of the hearing pathway, which is performed while a child is asleep)
• Visual Reinforcement Audiometry (hearing assessment where a child turns to sounds)
• Play Audiometry (a test of hearing where a child plays a game in response to sound, such as putting a man in a boat)
• Speech Discrimination Tests (tests which ask a child to identify objects or pictures when a word is spoken)
• Pure Tone Audiometry (a hearing test where a child presses a button in response to sound)

Our experienced Paediatric Audiologists will use the most suitable techniques for your child’s developmental stage. More information on each of these test techniques can be found on the National Deaf Children’s Society website.

What happens if a hearing loss is identified?

When a hearing loss is identified in a child, appropriate audiological support is provided. This might involve simply monitoring the situation or involve the fitting of a hearing aid.

What hearing aids are available?

All children fitted with hearing aids are provided with digital hearing aids, which are available in a variety of colours. In most cases the aids fit behind the ear. The selection of a particular hearing aid is based upon the hearing needs of the child. Binaural hearing aids (one for each ear) are fitted in most cases, unless this is not appropriate.  There are currently 172 children in the area who have been provided with hearing aids.

What happens after hearing aids have been fitted?

Once the hearing aids have been fitted and tuned to the child’s hearing loss, then the child’s progress with the aids will be reviewed through regular appointments in the Audiology Department. The department also works closely with the Norfolk County Council Sensory Support Service, who provide support, at home or at school, for children with a sensory impairment. Further information on their services can be found here:

Virtual School Sensory Support

Further Information and Resources

Information and resources regarding children and hearing problems can be found at the The National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS) website: National Deaf Children’s Society  .

Children’s Hearing Services Working Group (CHSWG)

Your CHSWG needs you!

The CHSWG ensures that all services designed to support deaf children and their families are evaluated so they can continue to improve. Parent’s views and experiences of services for deaf children are crucially important. The CHSWG is a forum for you to voice any views or problems for you or other parents. It meets 3 times a year and is attended by audiologists, teachers of the deaf, speech and language therapists amongst other professionals.

If you would like to be involved, please contact:

Claire Vine, Lead Clinical Scientist, on 01603 287284 or ask at your next appointment. Travel expenses as well as child care costs can be reimbursed