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A prospective evaluation of direct referral to audiology departments for hearing aids

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

I. R. C. Swan  and
G. G. Browning
I. R. C. Swan*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, University of Glasgow, Royal Infirmary, Glasgow G31 2ER.
G. G. Browning
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology, University of Glasgow, Royal Infirmary, Glasgow G31 2ER.
*
Mr I. R. C. Swan, Department of Otolaryngology, University of Glasgow, Royal Infirmary, Glasgow G31 2ER.
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Abstract

It has been suggested that a proportion of individuals with a hearing impairment can be fitted with a hearing aid without being otolaryngologically assessed. Such assessments are deemed advisable: (a) to identify otological pathology that might require management and (b) because surgery can be a viable alternative in those with a conductive impairment.

The aim of this study was to prospectively study individuals referred to an Otolaryngology Department in a teaching hospital to assess how technicians, at a direct referral clinic for the provision of a hearing aid, could screen to identify those meriting an otolaryngological opinion. Two hundred and forty-eight patients were evaluated by technicians using strict audiometric and tympanometric criteria. One hundred and twenty-five patients (50 per cent) failed these criteria and were referred to an otologist. The remaining 123 (50 per cent) were managed by technicians but were subsequently reviewed for the purpose of this study by an otologist and their management assessed. In only two patients (one per cent) was it thought that the initial management would have been different if seen by an otologist. Alternative criteria for deciding suitability for management by technicians were applied. The inclusion of tympanometry was essential to avoid missing middle ear pathology.

Keywords

Hearing aidsAudiology
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 108 , Issue 2 , February 1994 , pp. 120 - 124
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1994

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