Assessment and Management

What will happen at the doctors?

Your family doctor may first of all want to check whether the eardrums show an acute infection. You may then be asked questions about your child's general health and general development, including speech and language development. Your doctor may want to monitor your child to see if the fluid clears up naturally. If the fluid does not clear and you are concerned about your child’s hearing then ask for a referral to The Hearing Clinic. We are able to see children from 4 years of age.

What will happen at the audiology appointment?

• You will be seen by a paediatric audiologist who will firstly chat or play with your child for a couple of minutes so that they feel relaxed and settled in the clinic area.
• Next you will be asked some questions about your child’s hearing health and general development
• Your child will then have their ears examined. This is done in a fun way to reduce any anxieties that your child may have.
• Next we will do a test for glue ear called Tympanometry.
• Finally we will carry out a hearing test using a fun game.
• The results will be discussed with you using pictures and diagrams so that you fully understand what your child is and is not hearing.
• We will then discuss any questions that you have.
• If your child requires a further referral onto an Ear Nose and Throat specialist or Speech Therapist then this will be discussed and arranged.
• A full report of all the findings will be sent back to your GP and you will also receive a copy for your records.
• NOTE: Please do not bring any other children along to the consultation.

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