Hearing loss can be temporary or permanent, and most commonly develops gradually with ageing. Hearing loss can also be caused by repeated exposure to loud sounds. Sudden neurosensory hearing loss is an ENT emergency.
The symptoms most complained about by patients are:
- Difficulty hearing other people clearly and misunderstanding what they say
- Having the television on loudly
- Struggle to hear on the phone
- Asking people to repeat themselves
- Friends/family complain that they are not being listened to.
Who to refer:
Patients aged 16 or over who present with hearing loss.
Patients who are still at school should be referred via Paediatric Audiology as they may require educational support.
If hearing loss is the primary complaint, but bilateral tinnitus also present, the referral should be through the hearing loss pathway with tinnitus mentioned alongside in the referral.
Who not to refer:
Those under 16 or still at school – please refer to Paediatric Audiology instead.
Reassessment in those with hearing aids
If a patient already has a hearing aid, they do not need a GP referral to be seen again by the service for any hearing aid or hearing-related issues.
They can contact the department directly – please see here for details.
Patients with the following red flags should be referred directly to ENT
1) Recurrent infections
2) discharging perforations/ discharging mastoid cavities/ abnormal appearance of drum
3) Polyps, possible foreign bodies
4) Persistent ear pain
5) Pulsatile tinnitus
6) Sudden hearing loss or sudden deterioration
7) Vertigo/unsteadiness not consistent with age or existing pathologies
8) Conductive hearing loss
How to refer:
Please refer using SCI Gateway to:
– Lothian / East Lothian Community Hospital / Audiology
– Lothian / Lauriston / Audiology
– Lothian / St John’s Hospital / Audiology
