The adult diagnostic audiology department is based at the Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals. Our audiologists are skilled at conducting hearing and balance assessments to support the tertiary level ENT and audiovestibular medicine (AVM) services. We also run a comprehensive Audiologist-Led Clinic (ALC) and an Audiologist-Led Vestibular Rehabilitation (VR) Clinic.​

General enquiries

Service management

Address

Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals
47 - 49 Huntley Street
London
WC1E 6DG

Referral

Other referral information

How to refer​
External referrals should typically be referred to either the AVM or the ENT clinic for consultant-led assessment and management. ​Non-complex patients may be referred to the ALC by the GP via the choose-and-book system.​

Internal referrals can be completed via Epic in the patients' chart by adding a referral order for Audiology: Diagnostics and selecting ‘Outpatient referral to Audiology—Adult Diagnostics’.

What we treat​
We primarily support the tertiary-level medical clinics within the ENT and AVM services. Our audiologist-run services include a ‘one-stop shop’ ALC for diagnosing and managing non-complex hearing, tinnitus or balance problems. We also provide a VR program for patients with vestibular disorders.​

We also have an ototoxicity monitoring service for patients undergoing treatments that can affect the hearing system. This is accessed via internal referrals only.

Referral criteria/acceptance criteria:

Tertiary Audiologist-Led Service: 

  • Inclusions: 
    • Hearing loss and/or tinnitus symptoms only
    • Vertiginous symptoms only
    • Adult patients 18–75.
  • Exclusions:
    • Children under 18
    • Acute pain and discharge (likely infection)
    • Sudden onset hearing loss (sudden is defined as within one week, patients should be directed towards ED or referred to an urgent care ENT clinic via the GP)
    • Tinnitus causing acute suicidal ideation, psychological crisis or speech hallucinations
    • Facial nerve palsy
    • Any neurological signs or symptoms in addition to hearing concerns, in particular any symptoms suggestive of brainstem pathology or a space-occupying lesion (e.g. hemisensory disturbance, unilateral motor weakness, visual field deficit).
    • Combination of hearing, tinnitus and vertiginous symptoms 

Community Audiologist-Led Service:

  • Inclusions: 
    • Hearing loss, tinnitus, otorrhoea, wax, otalgia
    • Adult patients 18 and over
  • Exclusions:
    • Children under 18
    • Acute pain and discharge (likely infection)
    • Sudden onset hearing loss (sudden is defined as within one week, patients should be directed towards ED or referred to an urgent care ENT clinic via the GP)
    • Tinnitus causing acute suicidal ideation, psychological crisis or speech hallucinations
    • Facial nerve palsy
    • Vertigo
    • Any neurological signs or symptoms in addition to hearing concerns, in particular any symptoms suggestive of brainstem pathology or a space-occupying lesion (e.g. hemi-sensory disturbance, unilateral motor weakness, visual field deficit).

Audiologist-Led Vestibular Rehabilitation Service: 

  • Access to VR services is via ENT, AVM or ALC as audiovestibular investigation must be completed first.​
  • Inclusions: 
    • Acute or Chronic Diagnosed Vertiginous Symptoms 
    • Adult patients 18 and over

Referral address

Medical Services RNENT&EDH
250 Euston Road
London NW1 2PG
 

Conditions we treat
​We test for hearing, tinnitus, and balance disorders. Patients seen on our ALC or VR services are managed by an audiologist. Complex cases will be identified and thoroughly assessed, thus streamlining onwards referral to appropriate consultant-led services at the Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals.

How to get referred
You will need a referral from your GP or health professional

Patient aftercare
Our rehabilitative services are an integrated blend of hearing, balance and psychological treatments delivered by both audiologists and other members of the professional multidisciplinary team at the hospital.

The adult diagnostics audiology department at the Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals provides a comprehensive range of auditory (hearing) and vestibular (balance) assessments to enable accurate clinical diagnosis in a range of hearing and/or balance related conditions.

Before you attend your appointment

If you wear hearing aids, please bring them and any glasses you require to your appointment.​ 

We encourage you to bring a family member, friend, or carer to your appointment for support. 

We can arrange interpreters for all languages, including British Sign Language (BSL).

To help things run smoothly during your visit, please follow these clinic guidelines:

  • Refrain from taking any vestibular suppressants (medications for balance) 48 hours before your appointment.
  • Do not consume any alcohol beverage for 48 hours before your appointment.
  • Do not wear eye make-up on the day.
  • Avoid loud noise exposure 24 hours before hearing testing.
  • If you have not recently had your ears examined, please visit your GP to ensure your ears are free of wax.

Please try to arrive 10 minutes before your appointment start time. If you fail to arrive on time, you will not be seen.

During the appointment

Please be aware that we are a teaching department, and we would appreciate the co-operation of patients in supporting our students in their training. Please let the audiologist know if you are uncomfortable with a student being present and we will try to accommodate accordingly. 

Initially the audiologist will discuss any hearing or balance difficulties, take a brief history, and examine your ears using an otoscope to check that your ears are healthy and free from wax. You may be asked to complete a questionnaire about your symptoms.

Each assessment will be fully explained to you by the audiologist to ensure you understand, and to give you an opportunity to ask questions. Each appointment generally takes 30 to 60 minutes, but some may take up to two hours.

Please note it may not be necessary to conduct every listed assessment. The audiologist will determine which tests are most appropriate for you during your appointment.

The audiologists can advise you on the charities and support groups for conditions like hearing loss, balance and tinnitus. The department has close links with charities, hearing therapists, psychologists, physiotherapists, physicians and surgeons.

Useful links