Audiology (Hearing Services)
Audiology at the John Hunter Children’s Hospital, provides specialist hearing services to patients of all ages as part of our care for Children, Young People and Families across the Hunter New England region. We also provide limited services to families from outside the Hunter New England area.
We provide hearing assessments for those who have been identified as having or being at risk of having a hearing loss by a specialist Hunter New England Health doctor. We may also accept referrals from other specialists and Hunter New England Health Allied Health practitioners.
Services we provide
We provide a range of hearing assessments that include:
- Electrophysiological diagnostic audiology – Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) testing.
- Otoacoustic Emissions (OAE)
- Tympanometry – middle ear test
- Visual Reinforcement Orientation Audiometry (VROA)
- Play Audiometry
- Diagnostic Audiology
Screening and diagnostic videos
Newborn Hearing Screening
Newborn Diagnostic Testing (Auditory Brainstem Response - ABR)
Otoacoustic Emissions Test
Tympanometry (Middle Ear Test)
Play Audiometry
Visual Reinforcement Orientation Audiometry (VROA)
Hearing Aids - Preparation and Fitting
Cochlear Implants - surgery, wound check and switch on
External Resources for Families of Children with a Hearing Loss
External Resources for Families of Children with a Hearing Loss
Parent Information Sheets
Can your child hear?
Ear problems in children
Glue Ear and Grommets
Hearing loss in children with Down Syndrome
Hearing loss in one ear: Babies and pre-school children
Microtia
Otitis Media (middle ear infection)
The inheritance of hearing loss and deafness
Unilateral (single sided) hearing loss: The school child
Statewide Infant Screening - Hearing (SWIS-H)
Why does my baby need a hearing screen?
Diagnostic Audiology Assessment
Why has my baby been referred directly for a diagnostic audiology assessment?
Infant diagnostic hearing tests
Hearing loss and your baby: The next step
Hearing Services (external to HNEkidshealth)
CHAMP for Parents
Hearing Australia
The Shepherd Centre
Nest Sense
NSW Department of Education- Itinerant Support Teachers
Aussie Deaf Kids
HEAR
NDIS Pathway Factsheet: 0-6 years
How do you book an appointment?
Newborns may be referred to Audiology for an Infant Diagnostic Assessment by the SWISH Program. More information about SIWSH can be found here, https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/kidsfamilies/MCFhealth/child/pages/hearing-services.aspx
Children over the age of 6 months and Adults may be referred by an Ear Nose & Throat Specialist, Paediatrician and Oncologist. Referrals may also be considered from other HNEHealth Specialists and Allied Health practitioners.
Use SeNT eReferral to send referrals to HNELHD. If your system does not support SeNT, you may FAX referral to (02) 49236414.
Referrals should clearly outline why the assessment is required including relevant ENT and other medical history. This will assist us to triage the referral appropriately. The patient will be contacted with appointment details following triage.
Other hearing services
If you are not able to be seen by our services you may be able to access hearing services via,
- Child and Family Health Nursing provide hearing testing at a number of sites for children over the age of 3 ½ following a referral from a medical professional, speech pathologist's for clients in the LGA, child and family health nurse, schools/preschools, other health professionals. Referals are only accepted from the Newcastle, Port Stephens and Lake Macquarie LGA's. They can be contacted on (02)4923 6920.
- Children and young adults under the age of 26 years, with a confirmed hearing loss may be able to access services through the Government Hearing Services Program. Further information can be found at Hearing Australia, https://www.hearing.com.au/.
- Adults may also be able to access the Australian Government Hearing Services Program. To check eligibility go to www.hearingservices.gov.au
- Private hearing clinics are listed on the HNEHealth Community Health Pathways page here, https://hne.communityhealthpathways.org/19684.htm
Contact details
The Audiology Department is located on Level 2 - John Hunter Children’s Hospital (Near the JHH/JHCH Main Entrance. Opposite the café chairs near the newsagent).
| Phone: | (0249 213550 |
|---|---|
| Referrals fax: | (02)49 236414 |
| Email: | HNELHD-JHCHAudiology@health.nsw.gov.au |
NOTE: SWISH (Newborn Hearing Screening) can be contacted on (02) 49213555.