services

Hearing >> Conditions Treated

Newborn Hearing

In the early years of life children will learn important things about their environment including language and social interaction. A large proportion of this learning is through hearing and consequently the value of early and regular hearing checks in children is universally recognised.

Hearing tests can be conducted on your baby at several intervals from 2-3 days after birth to 8 months old. 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 your Consultant Paediatrician or GP.

This hearing test is available to all mothers who have delivered at The Portland Hospital during their postnatal stay. These hearing tests are at an additional cost and will be charged to your hospital account. For cost charges, further information or to book an appointment, please contact the Audiology department on 020 7390 6573.

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.