Fast Tracking ENT Appointments.
A comprehensive audiological assessment prior to an ENT referral reduces long waiting lists and improves patients’ outcomes.
Audiologist are allied health professionals specialised in the diagnosis and rehabilitation of hearing and balance disorders. In Australia, audiologists are mostly known to provide hearing services such as basic hearing tests and hearing aids but, audiologists’ scope of practice goes far beyond.
In Sydney, there are a few audiologists with special interest in other areas of audiology such as advanced auditory and vestibular function tests for the diagnosis of ear, hearing and vestibular disorders and to determine if, when and what medical intervention is warranted. These are the diagnostic tests relied upon by ENT specialists before confirming a diagnosis and deciding on the best treatment options.
ENT specialists are a minority in Australia meaning waiting lists are long. A recent study conducted in Western Australia by Tavora-Viera et al demonstrated that from a total of 220 patients in an ENT department waiting list, only 25 needed an ENT input following audiological tests. This means that referring a patient with hearing and balance complaints to a specialised audiology clinic will fast track their outcomes instead of waiting for an ENT appointment.
Audiologists are qualified to make recommendations following test results, including suggestions for further referrals to other specialties such as imaging tests, neurologists, cardiologists, and paediatricians amongst others.
If your patient complains of hearing difficulties, tinnitus, hyperacusis, blocked ear, balance disturbances and/or vertigo, an audiologist specialised in comprehensive audiological assessments should be the first port a call.
Audiologists at Healthy Hearing & Balance Care in Bondi Junction are highly specialised and well trained to provide a comprehensive range of diagnostic tests to assess auditory and vestibular function and work together with referring GPs to fast track patients who really need ENT intervention.
When you refer your patients for a comprehensive audiological assessment at Healthy Hearing & Balance Care, we will be able to advise you if further ENT intervention is required. Also, our clinic’s relationship with leading Sydney ENT specialists ensures that we can fast track appointments if urgent ENT attention is required.
Please, do not hesitate to contact our audiologists at Healthy Hearing & Balance Care today if you would like to discuss the hearing and balance needs of any of your patients.
Phone: (02) 9387 3599
Fax: (02) 9387 6130
E : admin@healthyhearing.com.au