Hearing
Conditions Treated
Newborn Hearing
Hearing is the most important aspect to the development of speech. It is vital that a newborn baby’s hearing is screened so any hearing loss can be detected and treatment commenced as early as possible.
Here at The Portland Hospital we test babies on the third day to reduce possible poor results occurring from mucous or general debris within the ear. A doctor’s referral is not necessary for any of these hearing tests, unless it is a requirement of your insurance company. Results are available immediately and reported to you and your Consultant Paediatrician or GP.
This hearing test is available to all babies born at The Portland Hospital during the postnatal stay. These hearing tests are at an additional cost and will be charged to your hospital account. For cost charges or further information please contact the Audiology department on 020 7390 6573 or discuss with your midwife or one of the baby screeners who will visit the wards Monday to Friday.
Paediatric Audiology
Paediatric Audiology department tests hearing and balance through a combination of methods designed for children.
This diagnosis enables the team to offer information and recommendations for rehabilitative care. Objective measures test the middle ear, cochlear and brain stem function and aid in the diagnosis of lesions in hearing impairment.
Services include our Cochlear implant programme, paediatric hearing aid, auditory rehabilitation, specialist speech and language therapy, alongside basic audiometry.
Cochlear Implant Programme
At The Portland Hospital we provide a dedicated programme for Cochlear implantation for both adults and children. Our audiologists and support staff have specialist expertise in assessing patients with hearing loss.
A Cochlear implant is a device which helps profoundly hearing-impaired people to perceive sound. It does not work like a hearing aid which amplifies sound. It works by using advanced technology to bypass damaged inner ear structures and send electrical signals directly to the auditory nerve. These are transmitted to the brain and interpreted as sound.
One component is placed surgically under the skin behind the ear and from it an array of electrodes are inserted directly into the cochlea. The other part of the device is an externally worn speech processor. This can be body worn or behind the ear.
Every patient referred is assessed by a team of professionals; a surgeon, an audiological scientist, a speech and language therapist, a radiologist, a paediatrician, audiological physician, a psychologist and educationalist if appropriate.
If you wish to receive more information about the services offered by the Audiology department then please do not hesitate to call the Audiology department on 020 7390 6573.
