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What do we do?

We provide assessment, advice and intervention to children, young people and their families, when there is hearing loss or concerns about hearing.

We work closely with other NHS services, education and social care to ensure children receive the support they need. We care for deaf children from birth to 18 years, or 25 years in some cases; and offer assessments for children aged six months to 18 years. Our speciality doctors provide assessment and investigation for children with permanent hearing loss.

Who are we?

Our team includes paediatric audiologists, audiology assistants and admin support colleagues. Our qualified audiologists are registered with the Registration Council for Clinical Physiologists (RCCP) or Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). All staff working with children have enhanced DBS checks.

Who can refer to our services?

• newborn hearing screeners
• community and hospital consultants
• GPs
• school and community nurses
• NHS speech and language therapists
• health visitors
• family support practitioners

How long will my child wait to be seen?

• referrals are triaged by a qualified audiologist, and if not accepted the decision will be explained in writing to the referrer and the parents or carers

• we aim to see all children for initial assessment within six weeks from receipt of the referral

Where will my child be seen?

We hold clinics at:

Audiology Department, Level 7 Derriford Hospital Plymouth PL6 8DH

Audiology Department, Child Development Centre, Scott Business Park, Beacon Park Road, Plymouth,PL2 2PQ

Audiology Department, Mount Gould Local Care Centre, 200 Mount Gould Road, Plymouth, PL4 7PY

What will happen at an appointment?

• The audiologist will discuss your current concerns, the hearing tests used will be explained to you and will depend on the developmental age and co-operation of your child.
• The audiologist will perform the tests.
• Give you the opportunity to ask questions and explain the results to you.

Rearranging an appointment

If your child already has appointment and you wish to change the date, please ring us on the number below.

If hearing loss is identified, what can be done?

When a hearing loss is identified in a child, appropriate audiological support is provided. This might involve simply monitoring the situation or might involve the fitting of a hearing aid.

When are hearing aids necessary?

• We consider that it is most appropriate to fit a hearing aid for a child when a hearing loss is present that is thought to be impacting their development.
• The selection of a particular aid is based upon the hearing needs of the child, which are determined using internationally recognised methods. Fine tuning of the aid can be made as needed. Both the child’s hearing levels, and the use and effectiveness of a hearing aid are reviewed regularly.
• For all children, the approach taken by the Audiology Department is not solely restricted to 'the ears' problems. Close contact is maintained with medical and education services, and we know that if we take advice and feedback from all these groups, we can ensure that care can be individualised for a child.

After an appointment - what happens next?

After an appointment, you and your GP (other professional involved in care) will receive a written report by post which outlines the results and management plan. Please provide us with names and addresses of any other health professionals that you would like to receive a copy of this report.

If you require any written information to be provided in any language other than English, please let us know as soon as possible.

Your views matter

We aim to offer a good service to you and your child. We welcome your comments, compliments and suggestions.

If you have any queries or concerns with any aspect of your child's care that cannot be resolved with your clinician, please contact the team leader.

If you feel unable to discuss your concerns in this way, please contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS)

Useful Information 

National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS). Supporting childhood deafness, raising awareness and campaigning for deaf children’s rights, so they have the same opportunities as everyone else.

NDCS Glue Ear - A guide for parents. An information leaflet for parents explaining the condition of glue ear and discussing possible treatment options.

HearGlueEar App. The FREE HearGlueEar app has been designed for children experiencing hearing loss due to glue ear.

Glue ear NHS Guide with information and explanation about what glue ear is.

ADHEAR Bone Conduction System. Information about the technology.

First Diagnosis NDCS Information that is tailored for parents with a baby, toddler or child who has been diagnosed as deaf.

Hearing Aid Guide NDCS This resource will tell you about different types of hearing aids, how to look after them and how they can help your child.

Tinnitus: a parent’s guide BTA Learn about signs to look out for and how to help, if your child has tinnitus,.

Tinnitus: a teacher’s guide BTA Find out how to support a child in your class who has tinnitus which is affecting their concentration and mental health.

Hyperacusis BTA Types and causes of sound intolerance and how therapy can help.

Unilateral Deafness or SSD NDCS How unilateral or single-sided deafness (SSD) affects children.

Parents Guide NDCS A Parents’ Guide to hearing care for children with a learning disability, autism or both.

Cochlear Implants NDCS Information about Cochlear implant for families.

Auditory Processing Disorder Leaflet from the British Society of Audiology.

Auditory Processing Disorder NHS Information about the symptoms and things you can do to help APD.