Audiology - Children's

• About Us

  Our team includes Audiologists, an Audiology Assistant, a Consultant Audiovestibular Physician and Administrative Support staff who work together to provide a high quality audiology service for children and young people in Wigan.

  We aim to enable children to reach their full social and educational potential by ensuring that the child/young person has maximum hearing.

  We offer a professional quality service, following local and national professional guidelines.

  We are locally-led to best meet the needs of the child and family.

  We are efficient and use our resources wisely to ensure quality care and value for money.

  Children, young people and their families can access expert knowledge in the following areas:

  • Hearing Loss and its impact on your child’s speech and education
  • Hearing assessment appropriate to your child’s age
  • Amplification (Hearing Aids)
  • Balance problems
  • Tinnitus
  • Equipment; Hearing aids, ear moulds, tubing and batteries will be provided if required.

  Children’s Audiology staff 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.

  For example the Audio Vestibular Medical Consultant works with audiology in relation to any additional medical 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 We See

  Children’s Audiology offers assessment of hearing and management of hearing loss for children within the Ashton, Leigh and Wigan area from 0-18 years of age.

  Every child will be offered a hearing screen at birth and Year 1 in school. Families will be fully involved in all decisions and at all stages of the child’s management.

  Community Clinics are also held for those that were not possible to screen at the hospital for any reason or for those for whom the screen was incomplete.

  The Team provides a service to children and families who live in Wigan and /or have a Wigan GP.

• Where We Work

  The Children’s Audiology Team is based at Platt Bridge Health Centre.

  Services are also provided across the borough to ensure that families are seen closer to home where appropriate.

  The majority of buildings we use are accessible e.g. they have wheelchair access – however if you have accessibility needs, please contact us before your appointment so that we can support those needs.

  We offer clinics for hearing assessment at the following locations:

  Leigh Health Centre
  The Avenue
  Leigh
  WN7 1HR

  Leigh Health Centre is based in the same building as the Walk in Centre, which is next door to Leigh Infirmary and our Audiology Service is on the first floor.

  Please book in at community reception on the first floor when you arrive for your appointment.

  Car parking is available at the rear of the walk in centre. Children’s services patients using this car park can have parking tickets validated at community reception.

  Please book in at community reception on the first floor when you arrive for your appointment.

  Platt Bridge Health Centre
  Rivington Avenue
  Platt Bridge
  Wigan
  WN2 5NG

  The audiology department is on the first floor. Please book in at the children’s therapy services reception on the first floor when you arrive for your appointment.

  Free car parking is available, but please be aware that spaces are limited.

  Wigan Health Centre
  Boston House
  Frog Lane
  Wigan
  WN6 7LB

  Please use the entrance at Zone A and book into reception when you arrive.

  Free car parking is available, but please be aware that spaces are limited.

  Worsley Mesnes Health Centre
  Chandler House
  Poolstock Lane
  Wigan
  WN3 5HL

  The audiology service is on the second floor.

  Free car parking is available, but please be aware that spaces are limited.

  Due to the technical nature of some of our work it may sometimes be necessary to see your child at Platt Bridge or Leigh Heath Centre but this will be discussed with you at your first clinic appointment.

• Working With Our Partners

  Children’s Audiology staff 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.

  For example the Audio Vestibular Medical Consultants work with audiology in relation to any additional medical 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.

• 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 hearing aids can expect to access the service for regular hearing tests.

  At 18/19 years of age Children’s Audiology will support the young people to transition to adult services.

  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.

• Referrals

  Making a referral
  We have an open referral system. Anyone can refer to the audiology service including parents/carers.

  Referrals from parents/carers
  If you would like to refer your own child to the audiology service, please use our self referral form.
  Alternatively you can phone 01942 482450 to make a referral over the phone.

  Referrals from professionals

  If you are a professional, you must gain consent from the parents/carers prior to making the referral.
  Professionals must use the service professionals referral form.
  
  Referrals should be sent electronically to: wwl-tr.childrenshearing@nhs.net

  All referrals are considered by an audiologist before being accepted for assessment. Any referral that cannot be accepted is sent back to the referrer with an explanation or requesting additional information so that the referral can be reconsidered.

  Once a referral is received and accepted, parents/carers will be sent a letter asking them to phone the department to make a convenient appointment at a range of locations.

  If parents/carers do not respond within 10 working days to our letter, the child is discharged from the service.

  All children are seen for an initial assessment within 6 weeks of referral.

  The audiology service is free at the point of care.

• Local Offer

  We aim to enable children to reach their full social and educational potential by ensuring that the child/young person has maximum hearing.

  Our team includes Audiologists, an Audiology Assistant, a Consultant Audiovestibular Physician and Administrative Support staff who work together to provide a high quality audiology service children and young people in Wigan.

  We offer a professional quality service, following local and national professional guidelines.

  We are locally-led to best meet the needs of the child and family.

  We are efficient and use our resources wisely to ensure quality care and value for money.

  Children, young people and their families can access expert knowledge in the following areas:

  • Hearing Loss and its impact on your child’s speech and education
  • Hearing assessment appropriate to your child’s age
  • Amplification (hearing aids)
  • Balance problems
  • Tinnitus
  • Equipment; Hearing aids, ear moulds, tubing and batteries will be provided if required.

  Children’s Audiology staff 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.

  For example the Audio Vestibular Medical Consultant works with audiology in relation to any additional medical 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.
  
  Who we see
  Children’s Audiology offers assessment of hearing and management of hearing loss for children within the Ashton, Leigh and Wigan area from 0-18 years of age.

  Every child will be offered a hearing screen at birth and Year 1 in school. Families will be fully involved in all decisions and at all stages of the child’s management.

  Community Clinics are also held for those that were not possible to screen at the hospital for any reason or for those for whom the screen was incomplete.

  The Team provides a service to children and families who live in Wigan and /or have a Wigan GP.
  
  How we communicate with service users and how you are involved with decision making/planning

  Communication with service users is usually face to face, in written format or by phone.

  Parents/carers will be involved in goal setting and will get a copy of all reports to inform of your child’s progress.

  Audiology staff will contribute to education, health and care plans and review for children and young people with additional needs.

  There is also a Children’s 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.
  
  Disability awareness
  All members of staff receive training in disability awareness and undergo regular supervision and clinical training to maintain their skills and develop new expertise. Every member of the team has an up-to-date DBS check.

• Appointment Information

  Hearing Tests
  There may be one or two clinicians present for hearing tests.

  Due to the type of testing we will be doing, we kindly request that any siblings do not attend appointments with you as we will need periods of silence in in order to complete testing. We realise that this is not always possible and we will do our best to complete testing in these circumstances.

  The hearing test which we will complete will depend on the age and developmental stage of your child. The four most common types of testing we do are:

  • Pure tone audiometry: Where the child wears headphones and we ask the child to press a button or move a toy in response to the sounds.
  • Performance testing: Where sounds are presented from a speaker (without headphones) and the child is instructed to move a toy in response to sounds
  • Visual Reinforcement audiometry: where the child turns to a sound from a speaker to look for a picture or a toy.
  • Distraction testing: where the child turns to sounds presented from behind.

  We may also examine your child’s ears (otoscopy) and perform a test for middle ear function which shows how the eardrums are moving (tympanometry).
  
  ABR appointments
  There may be one or two clinicians present for your appointment.

  ABR appointments may take up to 1½ hours and the child may need to be asleep for the assessment. Please bring anything which may help to settle your child e.g. feed / nappy change. If your child cannot settle during the appointment it may be necessary to re-book the appointment.

  Due to the type of testing we will be doing, we kindly request that any siblings do not attend appointments with you as we will need periods of silence in in order to complete testing. We realise that this is not always possible and we will do our best to complete testing in these circumstances.

  The ABR test (Auditory Brainstem Response testing) measures a child’s hearing through small sensors placed on the head and behind the ears. In order to place the sensors in position, we may need to lightly exfoliate the baby’s skin. The testing can take some time especially if the child is unsettled.

  Hearing Aid Clinics
  Children with hearing aids will have regular reviews with audiology where we will examine the child’s ears, perform hearing tests and check your child’s hearing aids are working well for them.

  As some of you may be aware, we have been undertaking service improvements recently. We will now be able to offer most patients another test which will give us an extra way to check that the hearing aid is providing your child with the best possible sound quality. This extra test will involve us putting a small, thin flexible tube in the ear and playing some sounds into the ear. This means that your child’s appointment will be slightly longer than previous appointments and may be up to 90 minutes long.

  Due to the type of testing we will be doing, we kindly request that any siblings do not attend appointments with you as we will need periods of silence in in order to complete testing. We realise that this is not always possible and we will do our best to complete testing in these circumstances.

  In order for the best possible outcome, we also now request you to contact the service at least two weeks prior to your appointment if you feel your child may need new earmoulds or if you feel your child may need to have their ears checked due to previous problems with wax or very frequent ear infections. In order to complete this additional test we need good fitting earmoulds and for the ears to be free from too much wax/ear infections.

  Impression appointments

  Some children may have appointments made for impressions for hearing aid earmoulds or for swim plugs. In order for the impression to be taken, the ears must be fairly clear of wax and have no current ear infections.

  During the appointment, we will examine the ears (otoscopy). A small soft sponge is then put into the ear. We then will put some soft impression material into the ear. This takes a few minutes to set before it is removed from the ear.

• Contact Us / Resources

  Platt Bridge Health Centre
  Rivington Avenue
  Platt Bridge
  Wigan
  WN2 5NG

  Telephone numbers: 01942 482450 / 01942 482451 / 01942 481491

  Hearning Aid Battery Safety
  
  Useful websites

  National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS)

  Action on Hearing Loss

  British Deaf Association

  British Academy of Audiology

  British Society of Audiology

  British Association of Audiovestibular Physicians