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
Where we work
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
How to use the service
You can refer your child into our Children’s Audiology Service via your Health Visitor, School Nurse, GP or any other professional who is involved with their care.
Referrals will only be accepted electronically via the following email address:
Email: bchft.childrensaudiology@nhs.net
On receipt of a referral 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 of receipt of the referrals.
If families do not make contact the child will be discharged from the service. There is no cost to parents to use this service.
Interpreters are available if required.
Moving on – transition and discharge
The service aims for stable hearing levels as quickly as possible. Once these are established the intention of the service is to maintain maximum hearing levels.
The children and young people who use amplification can expect to access the service for regular hearing tests.
We follow national guidelines for transition to adult services. This will be at 16 years of age or at 18 years if in further education.
If the young person is transitioning to adult services we will arrange a joint meeting between the young person and family, the children’s team and the adult team to ensure a positive transition
In all other cases the decision to discharge the child will always be discussed and agreed with the child or young person and their family.
Equipment
Hearing aids, ear moulds, tubing & batteries will be provided if required.
How we communicate with service users and how you are involved with decision making/planning
Parent/guardians will be present in the appointments and all information will be discussed with you. You will also receive copies of reports written about your child.
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.
There is also a Children Hearing Services Working Group (CHSWG) 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.
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.
Working with our partners
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.
Speech and Language Therapy work closely with audiology ensuring the child’s hearing levels are at optimal levels for their communication.
Social care and charities such as NDCS also work closely with Audiology and with families. We also work with the Hearing Screening Unit.
Who you can contact for more information
For general enquiries regarding children’s audiology, specific enquiries about a child or for questions about a referral please contact our admin team on 01744 624933.
The admin team may then put you in contact with any individual member of staff or the team leader who can most help you with your enquiry.
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.
Local Offer websites
St Helens Special Education Needs and Disabilties (SEND) website.
Useful websites