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NHS Glasgow Audiology Services

NHS Glasgow Audiology Services. Presented by Barry Campbell, Senior Audiologist, Paediatric Audiology Department, RHSC, Glasgow. Audiology? What’s that? (eh?!).

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NHS Glasgow Audiology Services

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  1. NHS Glasgow Audiology Services Presented by Barry Campbell, Senior Audiologist, Paediatric Audiology Department, RHSC, Glasgow

  2. Audiology? What’s that? (eh?!) • au di·ol o·gist n. A health care professional who is trained to evaluate hearing loss and related disorders, including balance (vestibular) disorders and tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and to habilitate individuals of all ages with hearing loss and related disorders. • Healthcare Scientists regulated by RCCP • Audiology Services over 6 sites across Glasgow, 5 Adult & 1 Paediatric • 20 Audiologists in Adult Departments, 9 in Paediatric Department • Serving a population of around 1.2 million across Greater Glasgow Urban Area conurbation (of which approx. 1 in 3 are children under 16)

  3. Paediatric Service- Referral Pathway • All Newborn Patients receive Automated Auditory Brainstem Response (AABR) test before leaving maternity Unit as part of Universal Newborn Hearing Screening (UNHS) Program (Greater Glasgow area) • This would be repeated if no clear response • Diagnostic ABR testing carried out in OPD • Cause for referral from here can result in appointment with Consultant Audiological Physician • Hearing aids may then be prescribed for patient

  4. UNHS Risk Factor Form

  5. Paediatric Audiology- caseloads • Each Audiologist has an assigned caseload • Range from 3 months to 5 years (start school) • Up to Secondary School leavers • Then transferred into Adult Audiology through Transition clinic • Caseload for Children with additional needs in Special Schools across Glasgow • Visits to Hearing Impaired units within mainstream schools and School for Deaf Children

  6. Paediatric Service- Referrals • Children can be referred up to age 12 to be assessed at Community based clinics across Glasgow • We may see many children with conductive HL, where surgical intervention may be more appropriate to amplification • The options to refer to Consultant Audiological Physician and/or Ear, Nose and Throat Consultant are available • Referral to Crosshouse Hospital for assessment regarding Cochlear Implant is also an option

  7. Adult Service- Referrals • ENT consultants vet referrals for new assessments (Senior Audiologists pull any obvious referrals marked for HAC) • Patients who have or have had a NHS hearing aid can self refer to have a reassessment done. They do not need a GP ref. • On 3 sites (GGH,GRI & VI) audiology will see over 12’s, under 60’s with no significant ENT history • DV’s available to patients who are housebound

  8. Adult service- Referral Pathway Vetting Criteria

  9. Hearing Loss- Categorization

  10. Types of Aids • We supply digital hearing aids to anyone who is appropriate • We supply BTE aids as standard and ITE aids only to patients with anatomical complications or to some children • We also offer referral to the cochlear implant centre at Crosshouse Hospital via ENT as well as BAHA (Bone Anchored Hearing Aid) in special circumstances

  11. Standard issue digital hearing aid Some come with volume controls Some have a button to change the programme to adapt to background noise or to use a telecoil loop Battery powered – it will give a beep when battery is low BTE Aid

  12. Smaller tube without a custom mould so a smaller aid Used for milder hearing losses only Works automatically so no additional controls Battery powered - it will give a beep when battery is low Open Fit BTE

  13. Earmoulds connect the hearing aid to the patient’s ear via a piece of tubing Custom made from an impression of the patient’s ear Can be made from hard acrylic and a softer silicone depending on the hearing loss If the aid is whistling then the mould is not fitting the ear correctly and must be altered or replaced Moulds

  14. Hearing Aid Care • Keep away from water!!! • And pets!!! (Dogs seem to like chewing hearing aids!!!) • The tubing needs to be changed and the aids checked every 6 months via the repair department. • The mould can be cleaned using a damp cloth or alcowipe every day • Wax build up in the tubing can be removed with a wax tool. • If the aid is whistling then check the mould or patient’s ear for wax. (MORE ON THIS LATER!)

  15. Batteries & Repairs • The five Adult sites run repair services to replace/maintain NHS hearing aids, Yorkhill have a separate appointments system outlined at 1st Issue • This is a self referral system – patients do not need to see GP • Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Victoria (New) & Southern General- APPOINTMENT SERVICE • Gartnavel General & Stobhill (New)- DROP IN SERVICE • Some large health centres have a supply of batteries for NHS users only, and are free

  16. Wax Management • Audiology provide no service in wax removal. • Please check patients for impacted wax before referral as this limits the tests we can carry out • If referring to hospital for wax removal in difficult cases (e.g. perforations) this must be sent to ENT (nurse practitioner) not Audiology • Before wax removal almond / olive oil to be used for min 5 days (2-3 drops – warm)

  17. AND FINALLY!!!“Whistling” Hearing Aids- WHY??! • Whistling is simply FEEDBACK, the sound of the aid amplifying its own output • There are 4 main causes: • INCORRECT INSERTION OF EARMOULD • INFECTION OR DISCHARGE IN EAR • IMPACTED WAX IN EAR CANAL • AID TURNED UP TOO HIGH

  18. Other acknowledgments… • Hamilton, L; Newborn Screening Manager, Audiology RHSC “Universal Newborn Hearing Screening”, October 2005

  19. Any Questions? Thank you for listening(!)

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