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Audiology

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Children's Service

All children in England are offered a hearing screen in the first few days after birth, depending on individual circumstances. This allows children with hearing problems to be identified and supported early.

For babies and young children, the ability to hear is important for understanding the world around them, and is critical for the development of their own speech.

Hearing problems may be temporary or permanent, and they can develop at any age. Hearing problems in young children may not always be obvious, and their ability to hear may appear to change depending on their environment.

We monitor children with permanent hearing loss and/or hearing aids regularly. At the age of 15 we will invite them to our Transition Clinic, which provides support and information for young people moving on to the Adult Audiology Service.

Our highly-experienced team is dedicated to delivering compassionate excellence to children across Oxfordshire and bordering counties.

We work closely within a multidisciplinary team including:

  • Ear, Nose and Throat Doctors
  • Paediatricians
  • Community Paediatric Audiology
  • Newborn Hearing Screeners
  • Speech and Language Therapists
  • Teachers of Deaf Children and Young People
  • Health Visitors.

Accessing our service

If you have any concerns about your child's hearing, please speak first to your child's GP, Health Visitor, Speech and Language Therapist or Paediatrician who can refer your child to us if necessary.

Hearing loss can be harder to spot in babies. There is a checklist at the link below to help you notice the signs.

Newborn hearing screening: making and reacting to sounds checklists - gov.uk

In most cases, the Community Paediatric Audiology Service will see children for their first appointment. This service is separate to the main Audiology Service, and is based in Oxford Children's Hospital.

If the first appointment indicates that further assessment is needed, they will refer children to our Children's Audiology Service.

Contact us - Children's Service

Links

Resources | Links | Children's Service

Last reviewed:18 September 2023