Audiology

Our Audiology department provides hearing aid services, hearing therapy and balance testing for adults and children.

Visiting / opening times

  • Sandringham Road Centre 08:45 AM — 04:30 PM
  • Montagu Hospital Audiology 08:45 AM — 04:30 PM
  • Retford Hospital Audiology 08:45 AM — 04:30 PM
  • Bassetlaw Hospital Audiology 08:45 AM — 04:30 PM
  • DRI Audiology 08:45 AM — 04:30 PM

Contact service

As a Trust, we provide audiology services over four locations:

In recent years, our Audiology service has undergone essential improvements to ensure we can continue to provide high-quality care. Following a recent review, we have upgraded our IT systems, equipment and clinical spaces to meet all required standards and create a more sustainable service for the future.

To help you navigate this page, we have created some quick links:

What you need to know

Temporary changes to our hearing services have now concluded. The Audiology service is able to offer:

  • Hearing Tests for all ages
  • Hearing aid fittings
  • Hearing aid repairs
  • Tinnitus counselling
  • Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) testing

Prioritising urgent cases: Over the past 12 months we have prioritised new referrals coming into the service, alongside extensive numbers of hearing aid repairs.

How to contact us

If you think you need urgent care or need advice, you can contact the service directly via:

  • Adult Audiology: 01302 644950 or dbth.hearing.rehab@nhs.net
  • Children’s Audiology: 01302 642763 or dbth.childrens.audiology@nhs.net
  • Text phone (text only): 07796 174900

Appointments and next steps

Adult Audiology Services

We have significantly reduced our new referral waiting list. This has reduced from over 2,000 patients to around 200. This level is now sustainable so all new patients should receive their first appointment in line with national targets – 6 weeks from date of referral.

Although we have reduced the waits for new patients significantly and are now meeting national guidelines for diagnostic testing, we know we have more to do in reducing our review waiting times. Our Review waiting list includes our historical patients who already wear hearing aid devices. We have increased the number of review appointments we deliver and aim to see all of our review patients by mid-2027.

Paediatric Audiology Services

Whilst we have made progress with reducing our waiting list size for paediatrics, we are still making improvements as waits remain high for new referrals and reviews. Our partner organisations continue to support us as we increase the numbers of appointments for our paediatric patients. More work is underway to see all of our patients who have been waiting for hearing aids and reviews.

To help children be seen more quickly and ensure the audiology service is offering the right care at the right time, we have introduced paediatric screening clinics. These clinics allow us to rule out significant hearing loss and provide reassurance for families where no serious concerns are identified. This approach helps us prioritise children with more complex or urgent needs, while enabling lower risk patients to be assessed sooner. Children who require further investigation will continue to be offered full diagnostic appointments.

If your hearing changes suddenly

Hearing changes can be caused by common issues like earwax build-up or infections, which your pharmacist can help with – here is some further guidance and information: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hearing-loss/.

However, some changes need urgent medical attention.

When to seek help

  • Lost hearing suddenly in one or both ears (within the last three days)? Go to the Emergency Department immediately.
  • Hearing has worsened rapidly over days or weeks (between four and 90 days)? Contact your GP practice – if appropriate they may adjust your referral or recommend you go to the Emergency Department.

Who qualifies for urgent Audiology referrals?

We prioritise patients with terminal illness, sight loss, dementia, severe hearing loss, severe tinnitus, and urgent children’s cases. We also give high priority to those with both hearing aids broken or lost, especially if this is impacting their ability to work.

Patients with one hearing aid broken or lost, or those with moderate hearing loss, severe tinnitus, dementia, or sight loss are also prioritised, though to a slightly lesser extent.

Priority and triage for adult services

For new referrals: 

Priority 1 – Appointment Timeframe within two weeks

  • Hearing assessment in cases of confirmed or strongly suspected bacterial meningitis or sepsis
  • Jaundice near or above the exchange line
  • Hearing assessment in adults about to undertake chemotherapy or for monitoring following administration of ototoxic drugs
  • Patient with hearing aids that are new to area, where the patient’s hearing aids are documented to be lost or broken beyond use
  • Other indication noted in the referral that the triaging clinician determines as urgent based on their clinical judgement of the referral information (eg Rampton Hospital caseload with significant hearing loss.)
  • Recent stroke

Priority 2 – Timeframe within four weeks

  • New hearing assessment of an adult with significant visual impairment
  • Significant bilateral hearing loss identified at previous appointment elsewhere, defined as average of 40dB or greater in the better hearing ear
  • Previous test results suggest SNHL that needs to be confirmed before a management decision can be made
  • Patients with memory issues or processing issues e.g. learning difficulties and dementia

Priority 3 –  Timeframe within six weeks/routine

  • New hearing assessment of any adult with a co-morbid condition associated with hearing loss, e.g. Downs Syndrome, or where something in their medical history gives rise to an increased risk of hearing loss e.g strong family history of hearing loss
  • Hearing aid assessment referral for an adult who is new to area and already aided (aids are known to be working)
  • Any other not included in the above categories.

Review Assessments

Priority 1

  • Both aids broken / lost – unable to work
  • Both aids broken / lost – unable to hear (moderate or worse hearing loss)
  • Both aids broken / lost – distressing tinnitus
  • Both aids broken / lost – dementia / sight loss
  • Both aids broken / lost – Terminal illness
  • One aid broken/ lost  – other ear unaided (profound)
  • Recent stroke

Priority 2

  • One aid broken / lost – unable to work
  • One aid broken / lost – moderate or worse hearing loss
  • One aid broken / lost – distressing tinnitus
  • One aid broken / lost – dementia / sight loss

Priority 3

  • All other where both aids broken / lost
  • Five years since last assessment

Priority 4

  • All other where one aid broken / lost
  •  Three years since last assessment

Priority 5

  • All standard repairs – for example Hook change / Retube / Remould

Priority and triage for paediatric services

Priority 1 (P1)

New referral:

  • Hearing assessment in cases of confirmed or strongly suspected bacterial meningitis, sepsis or congenital CMV.
  • Hearing assessment following head injury.
  • Jaundice near or above the exchange line.
  • Hearing assessment in children about to undertake chemotherapy or for monitoring following administration of ototoxic drugs.
  • Diagnosis of Permanent Childhood Hearing Impairment (PCHI) requiring intervention.
  • Tinnitus/hyperacusis where the patient is reported to be at risk of self-harm due to distress.
  • Patient with hearing aids who is new to the area where hearing aids are documented as lost or broken beyond use.
  • Any other indication identified by the triaging clinician as urgent based on clinical judgement.

Review reason:

  • Previous results suggestive of significant hearing loss that required action but where no action was taken.
  • Distraction-only results obtained at previous appointments where referral concerns strongly suggest bacterial meningitis, CMV, head injury, chemotherapy or ototoxic drug monitoring.
  • Diagnosis of PCHI has occurred but intervention has not been provided.
  • Child whose hearing loss meets Priority 1 criteria but there is no record of discussion or referral.
  • Recall case fitted with hearing aids and awaiting first review post-fitting.
  • Tinnitus/hyperacusis where the patient is reported to be at risk of self-harm due to distress.
  • New paediatric hearing aid fittings.

Priority 2 (P2)

New referral:

  • New hearing assessment of a child with significant visual impairment.
  • Significant bilateral hearing loss identified at a previous appointment elsewhere, defined as an average hearing threshold of 40dB or greater in the better hearing ear.
  • Previous test results suggest sensorineural hearing loss requiring confirmation before a management decision can be made.
  • Review of a child where no results were obtained at a previous audiology appointment.
  • Review of a child where limited results were obtained and possible hearing loss remains a concern.
  • New referral of a child who has not had newborn hearing screening because screening was missed, declined or the child was born outside England.

Review reason:

  • No results obtained at a previous appointment, or limited results suggesting possible hearing loss, where there is parental or professional concern regarding speech delay.
  • Raised thresholds at a previous appointment requiring specific bone conduction testing.
  • Significant bilateral hearing loss previously identified where hearing aid reassessment is required and amplification is likely.
  • Previous test results that do not fit with other test findings and require further investigation.
  • Hearing reassessment of a child with a co-morbid condition associated with hearing loss where previous testing was incomplete, inconclusive or inconsistent.

Priority 3 (P3)

New referral:

  • New hearing assessment of any child with a co-morbid condition associated with hearing loss, including Down syndrome, cleft palate, recurrent acute otitis media or strong family history of hearing loss.
  • Hearing aid assessment referral for a child who is new to the area and already uses hearing aids where the hearing aids are known to be working.

Review reason:

  • A co-morbid condition associated with hearing loss where previous results were satisfactory, but medical history continues to indicate increased risk.
  • Previous test results showing mildly raised hearing thresholds without supporting tympanometry findings and with no parental concern or speech delay.
  • Distraction testing only with middle ear effusion.
  • Failed school hearing screen where previous testing was distraction testing only.
  • Child moving into England where no previous NHSP assessment exists and previous testing consisted only of distraction testing.

Priority 4 (P4)

New referral:

  • Referral for a non-urgent hearing assessment as part of wider educational or medical concerns where there is no specific concern regarding hearing, for example speech and language concerns.

Review reason:

  • Review of a child with mild temporary hearing loss of 40dB or less in the better ear.
  • Monitoring of a child with unaided hearing loss (bilateral or unilateral).
  • Mild temporary hearing loss of 40dB or less in the better ear with supporting tympanometry and no additional risk factors.
  • Unaided hearing loss (bilateral or unilateral).
  • Any other child who does not meet Priority 1 to 3 criteria.

Your questions answered

What is p-coding/Triage?

P-coding is the triage process that our services use to prioritise urgent patients. Please see the bottom of the page for further information on each cohort.

Will I be able to access urgent care if needed?

Yes. Our highest priority is ensuring urgent cases receive care. If your case is considered urgent, we will contact you directly to arrange care.

I’m on the waiting list—will I lose my place?

No, you will not lose your place on the waiting list. We continue to triage all patients, ensuring those with the most urgent needs are prioritised.

Will I be contacted?

Yes. The audiology service will contact you when an appointment slot is available.

What should I do if I need to speak to someone?

If you believe that you do meet the urgent criteria, are concerned that your hearing is deteriorating or need advice regarding your condition, please contact the Audiology service directly. The team will assess your situation and advise on the next steps:

  • Email the Adult Audiology Service: dbth.hearing.rehab@nhs.net
  • Adult Audiology: 01302 644950
  • Children’s Audiology: 01302 642763
  • Text phone (text only): 07796174900
  • Email the Children’s Audiology Service: dbth.childrens.audiology@nhs.net

Why are these changes necessary?

These changes are part of an improvement plan to ensure that our Audiology service meets all essential standards, operates efficiently helping to reduce waiting times, and provide the best possible care for our patients. By upgrading IT systems, improving clinical spaces, and reviewing our processes, we are securing the long-term future of the service.

What is being done to ensure that the service can provide better care in the future?

Key improvements included:

  • Upgrading technology (IT systems) that support programming and fitting hearing aids
  • Upgrading medical equipment that support programming and fitting hearing aids
  • Recruiting additional staff at the right grades to deliver high levels of care to our patients
  • Making improvements to clinical spaces where hearing assessments take place

These improvements will help us provide a more effective and sustainable service in the long term.

How can I stay informed?

We will provide regular updates via the Trust website and direct communication with affected patients. Please ensure we have your up-to-date contact details. If you have any questions, you can also reach out to the PALS team.

What should I do if I need to make a complaint?

If you wish to register a complaint or concern, please contact the PALS team:

  • Telephone: (01302) 642764
  • Freephone: 0800 028 8059
  • Email: dbth.pals.dbh@nhs.net

We sincerely apologise for the delays caused and understand that this is an extremely challenging time for our audiology patients. We will contact you as soon as an appointment is available to book you into.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work towards delivering an enhanced, more resilient Audiology service in the future.

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