Appointments
Adult audiology centre
Your appointment
Your appointment may be:
- face-to-face
- by telephone
- by video
How to get an appointment
You can ask for a referral to our service from:
- your GP
- your local audiology or ear, nose and throat (ENT) service
- another health professional
Changing or cancelling your appointment
Phone: 020 7188 2211
Email: gstt.audiologyappointments@nhs.net
Please let us know as soon as possible if you need to change or cancel your appointment.
Before your appointment
Please ask your GP or a practice nurse to check that your ears are clear of wax before your appointment. We don't provide wax removal.
If we've given you information leaflets about your appointment, please read them before seeing us.
If you need an interpreter during your appointment, please let us know before your appointment. We can arrange interpreters for all languages, including British Sign Language (BSL).
If you find it difficult to lip read, please let us know so we can type or write information out for you.
Please bring:
- a copy of your appointment letter
- hearing aids if you wear them
- glasses if you wear them
- someone to support you at the appointment if you need it
During your appointment
You may need more than 1 appointment with us.
Any information leaflets we gave you before your appointment will let you know what to expect during your appointment.
Your appointment letter will tell you how long it may last.
We're a teaching hospital and sometimes students will be in the clinic to learn. We'll ask you if you're happy for them to be at your appointment. It won't affect your care if you prefer not to have them there.
We'll check your hearing aid to see what the problem is and how we can fix it.
We'll usually fix your hearing aid on the same day you come in.
Some problems can take 1 to 3 months to fix. We'll ask you to visit us again if this is the case.
We'll ask you about your hearing and medical history, and how you'd like your hearing to be improved.
During a basic hearing test we'll check that your ears are clear of wax. Then you'll wear headphones and press a button when you hear a tone. This lets us measure the quietest sounds you can hear.
You may need to do more hearing tests depending on your needs. We'll always explain what the test is for and what to expect. We'll also ask for your consent before we do a test.
We'll talk about the results of your hearing test with you and give you a diagnosis of your hearing.
We'll recommend the best treatment option based on your diagnosis.
Normal hearing
If we diagnose you with normal hearing we'll give you advice about your results.
Hearing loss
If we diagnose you with hearing loss we'll support you by:
- giving you advice for communicating
- counselling you about your hearing loss
- suggesting hearing aids if you need them
If you need hearing aids we'll let you know what benefit they may give you. You can choose if you want them.
Depending on your hearing levels, the hearing aids may be fitted to a custom-made earmould or a thin tube. You may need to have another appointment to have your hearing aids fitted.
Referral to an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist
We'll refer you to an ENT specialist if you have specific issues with your ear, such as:
- ear infections
- pain
- conductive or mixed type hearing loss
- balance issues
Referral for more support
If we think you need it we'll refer you for:
- aural rehabilitation
- counselling
- communication tactics
- social services support
We'll make changes to how your hearing aid delivers sound.
We'll usually finish these changes on the same day you come in. Some problems take longer to fix and we'll ask you to visit us again if this is the case.
If you need an earmould or custom earpiece we'll take an impression of your ear. This involves putting a small soft sponge blocker attached to a thread inside your ear canal.
We'll then fill your ear canal up to the sponge blocker with soft impression material. This takes the shape of your ear and sets within a few minutes.
We'll then remove it and send it off to be made into your earmould. This can take up to 4 weeks.
We'll make a follow-up appointment for you to collect the earmould or contact you when we've received it.
We'll ask you about your hearing and medical history. We'll also ask you to complete a questionnaire.
We may give you:
- exercises
- counselling
- an assistive listening device
- a referral for more tests
We'll send you information leaflets with your appointment letter. They'll let you know what to expect during your vestibular assessment appointment.
After your appointment
We'll send a letter to update the person who referred you if:
- you've had an assessment
- we've made changes to your management plan
We'll contact you if you need another appointment.
If you have any concerns or questions please do not hesitate to contact us.
Last updated: October 2023
