Children’s Audiology – Halton, St Helens and Knowsley

General introduction

The Children’s Audiology Service aims to ensure children aged 0-18 have the best hearing levels possible to encourage children to communicate, learn and interact with others to the best of their ability.

We work with families to provide high quality care to the children we see and families will be involved at all stages in decision making.

The Children’s Audiology Service offers expertise in the following areas:

universal hearing screening for all new born babies and school children
early diagnosis and management of hearing loss
hearing aid fitting after detailed assessment
ongoing support for hearing aid users
diagnosis and management of hearing related problems

Audiology staff work very closely with teachers of the deaf and information about your child’s hearing will be part of the Education, Heath and Care Plan, where appropriate.

The Children’s Audiology Service covers Halton, St Helens and Knowsley and offers clinics in the following places:

Nutgrove Huyton Primary Care Resource Centre
Whiston Primary Care Resource Centre
Lowe House Health Care Resource Centre
Widnes Health Care Resource Centre

We value what you say

We routinely ask for feedback from you to see how we are doing.

Please complete our Outcomes of Care Survey.

How to access this service

You can refer your child to the Children’s Audiology Service through your health visitor, school nurse, GP, or any other professional involved in their care.

Referrals from professionals must be submitted electronically to: bchft.childrensaudiology@nhs.net.

Once a referral is received, parents will be sent a letter asking them to contact the service to arrange a convenient appointment.

You will be offered suitable appointments within six weeks of the date the referral is received.

If families do not make contact, the child will be discharged from the service. There is no cost to parents for using this service.

Interpreters are available if required.

Parents or guardians will attend all appointments, and all information will be discussed with you. You will also receive copies of any reports written about your child.

Moving on – transition and discharge

The service aims to achieve stable hearing levels as quickly as possible. Once these are established, the focus is on maintaining the best possible hearing levels.

Children and young people who use amplification can expect regular hearing tests.

We follow national guidelines for transition to adult services. This usually takes place at:

16 years of age, or

18 years of age if the young person is in further education

If a young person is transitioning to adult services, a joint meeting will be arranged between the family, the children’s team and the adult team to support a positive transition.

In all other cases, any decision to discharge a child will always be discussed and agreed with the child or young person and their family.

About the team

The Children’s Audiology Service work within a multidisciplinary team to provide an integrated approach for children and families.

The team work together to ensure all aspects of hearing link with the child’s other needs. The teachers of the deaf act as a liaison between audiology and schools supporting those who wear hearing aids in schools.

Social care and charities such as NDCS also work closely with Audiology and with families. We also work with the Hearing Screening Unit.

Useful information

Equipment

Hearing aids, ear moulds, tubing and batteries will be provided if required.

Information sharing

In order to offer integrated, high quality services for children, all of our Children’s Services work closely with preschools, nurseries and schools.

We share information about the outcomes of assessments and the strategies recommended in order that preschools, nurseries and schools implement the same strategies on a daily basis.

This will greatly help your child, but it you do not wish information to be shared you may withdraw your consent at any time.

Children Hearing Services Working Group (CHSWG)

The CHSWG is where professionals and parents work together to improve services for children with hearing loss. If you would like to join this group please let us know.