This guidance refers to the symptom or concern of sound sensitivity. Hyperacusis is only diagnosed by an audiologist following a face-to-face appointment.
The department offers review appointments to check the child’s progress with sound sensitivity, following initial self-help. Pre-referral Sound Sensitivity Information isavailable to healthcare professionals who need to signpost families to information for self-help management prior to referral. The information has been developed for children (11 and under) and young people (12+) and is also available on the RHCYP Paediatric Audiology website.
The Audiology service offers a ‘retrainer’, which is an ear level device that helps to recalibrate the ear sensitivity by omitting a continuous sound.
This pathway is for those with persistent, consistent reactions impacting on daily life – please see ‘Who to Refer’ for full detail.
Information
Who to refer:
- Persistent reaction (long standing sound sensitivity, rather than an observed ‘one off’ reaction to an environment or sound)
- Consistent reaction (consistently having a reaction towards particular sounds, rather than a generalised hypervigilance)
- Impacting daily life (limiting daily activities, unable to go to specific places due to the reaction the child has towards sounds).
How to refer:
Please complete and send the completed Paediatric Audiology referral form to: Audiology.rhcyp@nhslothain.scot.nhs.uk
Please note that a SCI Gateway pathway is under development.