Hearing Services (paying patients)

Our Hearing (Audiology) Department is able to offer hearing tests to self-funding patients.

Your child does not need to be a patient at the hospital to access these services.

Hearing tests

Children’s hearing can be assessed in a number of different ways depending on the child’s age and ability.

Hearing assessments generally involve sounds being presented to a child:

• younger children may locate the sound by turning, looking at a puppet or playing a game
• older children are often required to wear headphones and press a button in response to the sounds

The clinician may look into the child’s ears using an instrument called an otoscope which has a magnifier and light that give a good view of the inside of the ear canal and eardrum.

They may also perform tympanometry which involves placing a soft tip at the edge of the ear canal and applying a small amount of pressure to the eardrum.

Results

After the testing has been carried out we will give the results to the referrer and the patient’s family. The results are normally ready within a week after the appointment.

Referrals

When requesting an appointment we need a clinical referral from a GP or hospital consultant which details the tests required and the reasons for the referral along with an appropriate medical history. This helps us to make sure that we are able to provide the correct service when you attend.

Appointments

Appointments are available on several weekday evenings. To book an appointment please contact our Paying Patients Manager on 0114 305 3636 or email paying.patients@sch.nhs.uk.

You will need to provide a copy of the referral and details of your child’s current medical condition when booking an appointment.

Prices

Hearing test: £157.52
Vestibular testing: £315

If additional tests are needed we will provide you with costs before these are carried out.

Feedback

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