Audiology and hearing services, The Children's Hospital at Westmead

Contact

Audiology and hearing tests: 

Deafness Centre: 

  • Phone: (02) 7825 2737
  • Email: SCHN-CHW-Deafness@health.nsw.gov.au 
  • Location: Speech Pathology - Deafness Centre Unit,  level 2

Sydney Cochlear Implant Centre: (02) 9844 6800

About hearing services

The Children’s Hospital at Westmead provides a range of hearing related services across our clinics and teams:

Our clinics and services include:

  • Audiology clinic: hearing tests
  • The Deafness Centre: child development service for children with permanent hearing loss
  • Microtia clinic: for children with microtia and permanent hearing loss, coordinated by the Deafness Centre
  • Cochlear Implant Centre: for children who may require cochlear implantation. 

Referral process for clinicians

Our department is using Consultmed to manage referrals. The Consultmed platform allows health professionals to send e-referrals to us securely.   

Consultmed questions and technical support: helpdesk@consultmed.co

Each department and clinic manages its own referral process via Consultmed. Please check the relevant clinic information below for details. 

Referral and appointment process for parents and carers

Request a referral

To make an appointment at our clinic, you will need a referral from your GP, paediatrician or specialist. 

They will assess your child, discuss your concerns, and make a referral to the appropriate service.  

Please arrange a doctor’s referral addressed to the paediatrician who will see your child in the deafness centre.

Track your referral

Our department uses Consultmed to manage referrals. Your referring clinician sends the e-referral to us using the secure Consultmed platform.  

Once we receive the referral, we will send you an email with your tracking information. We will update you as we process the referral and book your appointment. 

To receive these updates, please ask your referring clinician to include your email on the referral.  

If your clinician has questions about Consultmed or require technical support, they can contact helpdesk@consultmed.co.  

Need support?

If you need help or have questions about the referral and appointment process, please contact us.  

Audiology and hearing tests: (02) 7825 2788 

Deafness Centre: (02) 7825 2139

 

Clinic information

Audiology clinic

The Audiology clinic provides a comprehensive paediatric diagnostic service to children and babies with hearing problems from birth onwards.

We are experienced in treating patients who are difficult to test and will also provide second opinions, counselling and information about the effects of hearing loss.

Our mission is to provide a service that is of the highest possible quality using the most up-to-date techniques. The early detection of hearing loss is promoted and staff are vocal advocates for early intervention and rehabilitation of the hearing impaired. Referrals are accepted from paediatricians. 

Clinic assessments are available from birth and referrals are accepted from doctors associated with the Hospital.

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The Deafness Centre

The Deafness Centre is a multidisciplinary child development clinic for children with permanent hearing loss. 

For children diagnosed with a permanent hearing loss the Deafness Centre provides:

  • general information and support
  • information on early intervention options and communication methods
  • information on the cause of deafness, including genetic counselling and testing
  • diagnosis of additional physical, intellectual or learning difficulties
  • assistance with management of behavioural and emotional difficulties at home and at school.

Our paediatricians provide assessment and investigation of children with hearing loss and work with allied health professionals, specialised teachers and families to form a a care plan that is specific to the child’s and families’ needs.

Referrals

Health professionals and clinicians (doctors, surgeons, specialists, audiologists), teachers and parents can contact the Deafness Centre to initiate intake. Please ensure that an audiogram from the past twelve months is provided before the intake process can begin.

Social work

A social worker is available to provide support and counselling to families whose child is diagnosed with permanent hearing loss.  The social worker can help with issues including:

  • understanding and coming to terms with your child’s hearing loss 
  • counselling and therapy with children, parents and families
  • resources, information and referrals to community resources
  • education and support groups for families with a child with hearing loss.

Education

The hearing support teacher provides families with:

  • information on education options for early intervention, school age children as well as advice for school leavers
  • advice to teachers and families  on teaching strategies and classroom management
  • liaison with school and education centres
  • school visits. 

Phone: (02) 7825 2737

Email: SCHN-CHW-Deafness@health.nsw.gov.au 

Location: Speech Pathology - Deafness Centre , level 2

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Microtia Clinic

The Microtia Clinic at The Children's Hospital at Westmead is coordianated by the Deafness Centre and works with ENT Department and Plastic Surgery Department to provide assessment and guidance for children with microtia and permanent hearing loss.

 (Children with isolated microtia without hearing loss should be referred directly to Plastic Surgery).  

The clinic provides assessment by a plastic surgeon, ENT surgeon, a developmental paediatrician, hearing support teacher and social worker.  Staff can advise on management of your child’s hearing and options for external ear reconstruction.

Surgery for outer ear reconstruction is usually performed after 8 years of age.Children have ongoing reviews to monitor progress with speech and language and provide updated advice management.

Medicare

The Microtia Clinic is part of The Children’s Hospital at Westmead. All services are covered under Medicare. Please make sure you bring a referral and your Medicare card to each visit. 

Referrals

Babies identified with hearing loss and microtia through the SWISH program will receive referrals from the diagnostic audiology service.

Health professionals and clinicians (doctors, surgeons, specialists, audiologists), teachers and parents can contact the Deafness Centre to initiate intake for the Microtia Clinic. 

A current audiogram (in the past 12 months) must be provided before intake can begin. Following initial contact, the intake officer will send a questionnaire for further discussion. This process ensures families gain maximum benefit from their first visit. 

A doctor's referral letter is necessary for Medicare billing during the appointment.

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Cochlear Implant Centre

The Cochlear Implant Centre provides:

  • assessment of severe or profoundly deaf children for potential cochlear implant  
  • ongoing post-operative care for children with a cochlear implant. 

Services include programming the device, intensive auditory, speech and language therapy, family counselling and support and liaison with other educational agencies. 

A referral from a general practitioner or other medical referral is required. An initial medical interview and assessment with a surgeon will be arranged in the first instance.

Contact: For information about cochlear implants or related services, phone the Sydney Cochlear Implant Centre on (02) 9844 6800.

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Patient and family support

A smiling Aboriginal family.
Our Aboriginal Hospital Liaison and Education officers play an important role in the care and welfare of and advocacy for Aboriginal patients and families, helping ensure a responsive and respectful patient journey.
A young girl sits on her mother's lap on a hostpital bed.
We can arrange a free interpreter for you. Interpreters are available for over 50 languages. Tell us which language you speak when your child is admitted, or let your nurse know.
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Virtual care, previously known as telehealth, allows patients. their families and carers to access healthcare services without leaving their home or community.