Audiology and Vestibular Medicine
Last updated21 Dec 2022 14:35
Main Address
- Adult Service Audiology
Whittington Hospital
Magdala Avenue
London N19 5NF - 0207 288 5220
- whh-tr.Audiology-WhittHealth@nhs.net
Audiology and Audio-vestibular medicine department deals with hearing and balance disorders. The department provides full range of diagnostic and electrophysiological services. It offers hearing and balance assessment, amplification, rehabilitation and hearing therapy. We accept referrals for adults of all ages from Islington and Haringey.
Sites:
Whittington Hospital:
The Adult Audiology service at the Whittington Hospital provides an integrated service with the Ear, Nose and Throat department. This service provides an audiology assessment and rehabilitation service for adults with GPs based in Camden and Islington.
Sites:
Whittington Hospital:
The Adult Audiology service at the Whittington Hospital provides an integrated service with the Ear, Nose and Throat department. This service provides an audiology assessment and rehabilitation service for adults with GPs based in Camden and Islington.
St Anns Hospital:
The Adult Audiology service at the St Anns Hospital is Audiological physician consultant led service. This service provides an audiology assessment, balance assessment and hearing rehabilitation service for adults with GPs based in Haringey.
Hornsey Rise Health Centre:
Hornsey Rise Health Centre is outreach site of Adult Audiology service at the St Anns Hospital. We offer audiology assessment and rehabilitation service for adults with GPs based in Haringey.
Appointments
What to expect at your appointment
Before appointment:
Please make sure you have been referred by your GP to our department. We offer an appointment within six weeks from the time we receive the referral. Please make sure your ears are free of wax. If your ears are not clear of wax, we may be unable to test your hearing. If you have discharging ears, please contact your GP practice for treatment prior to your Audiology appointment. If you already have hearing aids, please bring them with you.
Please make sure you have been referred by your GP to our department. We offer an appointment within six weeks from the time we receive the referral. Please make sure your ears are free of wax. If your ears are not clear of wax, we may be unable to test your hearing. If you have discharging ears, please contact your GP practice for treatment prior to your Audiology appointment. If you already have hearing aids, please bring them with you.
During appointment:
The Audiologist will first take a detailed medical history relating to your hearing and general health. Your ears will then be checked for presence of wax and/or any abnormalities. Providing your ears are clear, a hearing test will be carried out along with any other necessary Audiological tests.
We will discuss the hearing test results shortly after and agree on a management plan, including the provision of hearing aids if required. We offer Phonak behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids in a choice of colours. A follow up will be arranged a few weeks after the fitting to evaluate the success of amplification and identify any issues.
- Assessment (60minutes): History, Otoscopy, PTA, Tympanometry, Impression if required
- Hearing Aid Issue (60minutes): Check fit of hearing aid(s), Programming, How to use your hearing aid(s)
- Follow up (30minutes): Review of progress which can be offered either in person or via telephone consultation
- Reassessment (60minutes): It is recommended that hearing is re-checked every 3-4 years
- Repairs (15-30minutes): Replacement of tubing, fine-tuning hearing aids etc.
Useful resources
- Phonak NHS website
- Cleaning and caring for your hearing aids
- Information about HA batteries
- Nathos Auto Information booklet (PDF)
- Phonak FAQs for hearing aids
- Royal National Institute for Deaf people (previously Action on Hearing Loss)
- Communication tactics to support hearing loss
- Hearing Link website
- C2Hear Audiology videos and information
- British Tinnitus Association
- Connevans website - Assistive devices to help with hearing loss
- Get support in work if you have a hearing loss or disability (Access to Work)
- Disabled persons freedom pass
Sensory team / Social services – Deaf and hearing support team at Haringey. Some equipment can be provided by your local borough. Telephone: 0208 489 2592 or email: deaf.service@haringey.gov.uk
Lead manager
Further Information
Audiology Students:
We are a training department for Audiology students on placement from University. You may be seen by a student or there may be a student present during your appointment. Please let us know if you do not want to be seen by a trainee Audiologist.
We are a training department for Audiology students on placement from University. You may be seen by a student or there may be a student present during your appointment. Please let us know if you do not want to be seen by a trainee Audiologist.
Lost hearing aids:
Your hearing aid(s) is a valuable item and should be looked after with care. If you lose or damage your hearing aid, you will be charged £70 (per aid) to replace it.
There are some exemptions to payment:
- Children aged 18 years old and below
- Hearing aids lost whilst being an in-patient in hospital
- Patients on means-tested benefits (evidence will be required)
- Patients who are not capable of looking after themselves (learning disability, dementia etc)
- Victims of theft (evidence will be required as well as a police crime reference number)
- War pensioners
- Patients registered blind/partially sighted
- Where the hearing aids are more than 5 years old (reassessment will be required to fit a newer hearing aid model)
Please note that it is assumed that you have only reported your hearing aid as being lost after thoroughly looking for it. As such, if you find it after we have processed a payment and provided a replacement hearing aid, then no refund can be issued. You will only receive the replacement hearing aid(s) once payment has been received and we have received proof of payment.Please note cash payments are not accepted and payment should be made using either of the following 2 methods:
- Calling the cash & banking department on 0207 288 5457/5136. Please quote the financial code M401 3505 and your hospital number. Upon receiving your receipt, please forward this to us so we can re-issue the replacement aid(s).
- Bank transfer using the following details as well as quoting M401 3503:
Bank Natwest
Account name The Whittington Hospital NHS Trust
Account number 10002367
Sort code 60 70 80
Drop off hearing aids/Postal service
If your hearing aids are faulty or require a repair and you do not wish to make an appointment or are unable to attend the department, you can send them to us by post (recommended to use registered post for this) with a brief note of the problem and your identification. We will then repair your hearing aids and post them back to you within 3-4 working days.
If your hearing aids are faulty or require a repair and you do not wish to make an appointment or are unable to attend the department, you can send them to us by post (recommended to use registered post for this) with a brief note of the problem and your identification. We will then repair your hearing aids and post them back to you within 3-4 working days.
Battery collection/allocation
Hearing aid batteries are available free of charge on production of your battery card from reception (no appointment necessary), as well as spare tubing. Alternatively, you can request batteries and/or tubing via post by sending a stamped addressed envelope to our address as above.
Our hearing aids
We currently fit Phonak hearing aids in our department. All hearing aids provided by us are in the behind-the-ear style. The type of hearing aid selected will be based on your hearing loss as well as considering any dexterity or vision issues.
Monday - Friday
9 am - 5 pm
Adult audiology: We accept referrals from the GP’s, ENT Doctors, Consultants in geriatric and memory clinic and other health professionals.
If you would like to refer an adult to this service, please use the online digital referral form below.
Patient Leaflet
Page last updated: 25 Jan 2023