Queensland Government
Queensland Government
Home / Refer your patient / Audiology / Paediatric Hearing Loss / Concern

Paediatric Hearing Loss / Concern

Emergency department referrals

All urgent cases must be discussed with the on- call Registrar to obtain appropriate prioritisation and treatment via:

  • Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital switch – (07) 3646 8111
  • Caboolture Hospital – (07) 5433 8888

Urgent cases accepted via phone must be accompanied with a written referral and a copy faxed immediately to the Central Patient Intake Unit: 1300 364 952.

If any of the following are present or suspected, refer the patient to the emergency department (via ambulance if necessary) or seek emergent medical advice if in a remote region.

  • Sudden loss or deterioration

Does your patient wish to be referred?

Minimum referral criteria

Does your patient meet the minimum referral criteria?

Category 1

Appointment within 30 days is desirable

  • Sudden (≤ 1 week) onset off loss of hearing, unilateral or bilateral and not associated with outer or middle ear disease
  • Sudden onset deterioration
  • Post head trauma – hearing loss
  • Hearing loss associated with ear disease e.g. perforation, discharging ear
  • Fluctuating hearing loss not associated with colds etc.
  • Infection associated with hearing loss e.g. meningitis, active CMV
  • Extreme parental or medical concern and with significant hearing loss suspected
  • Infants who do not pass newborn hearing screening

Category 2

Appointment within 90 days is desirable

  • Recently diagnosed unilateral/bilateral sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) or congenital hearing loss
  • Confirmed structural damage
  • Hearing loss in the setting of speech delay or educational handicap
  • Hearing loss requiring hearing aid authorisation
  • Strong parental or carer or medical concern regarding the child’s hearing
  • Syndrome known to be related to hearing loss such as Down Syndrome
  • A close relative (child’s parent or sibling) with a congenital hearing impairment
  • Request for sedation or GA ABR
  • Failed screening test
  • Infants who do not pass newborn hearing screening in one ear (Recommended time for appointment is within 6 Weeks)
  • Early Targeted Surveillance
  • Strong medical concern
  • Family History of permanent childhood hearing loss

Category 3

Appointment within 365 days is desirable

  • Parental or carer is concerned regarding the child’s hearing
  • Recent diagnosis of unilateral/bilateral conductive hearing loss

If your patient does not meet the minimum referral criteria

Consider other treatment pathways or an alternative diagnosis.

If you still need to refer your patient:

  • Please explain why (e.g. warning signs or symptoms, clinical modifiers, uncertain about diagnosis, etc.)
  • Please note that your referral may not be accepted or may be redirected to another service

Other important information for referring practitioners

Not an exhaustive list

  • Refer to Paediatric ENT CPC, Health pathways or local guidelines
  • Consider referral to speech pathology or child health clinician for developmental speech and language screening in children
  • For optimal outcomes, diagnosis of major hearing loss and appropriate habilitation should be done before 6 months of age.
  • Passing newborn screening does not exclude mild permanent hearing loss or preclude late onset or progressive hearing loss.
  • Audiological surveillance is recommended for children with risk factors for progressive or late onset hearing loss. Frequency and duration of audiological surveillance varies according to risk factor.
  • Take parental concern seriously. Parents usually suspect a hearing loss before the doctor does (J Harrison M Roush, 1996

Queensland public hospitals do not dispense conventional or standard hearing aids. Aids for children, veterans, pensioners, ADF or NDIS participants with hearing needs are fitted by local audiologists via application to the Australian Government Hearing Services Program (Hearing service program). For non-eligible patients with a symmetrical mild, moderate or severe hearing loss, refer to a local private hearing aid provider.

Queensland Health Audiologists provide diagnostic hearing assessments which may result in a recommendation for hearing aids and/or an ENT opinion, but not the fitting of hearing aids.

Referral requirements

A referral may be rejected without the following information.

Essential referral information

  • Reason for referral
  • History including relevant symptoms
  • Description of:
    • hearing loss i.e. one or both sides if applicable
    • change in hearing loss (sudden, rapid or gradual) if applicable
    • failed screening results

Additional Referral Information (Useful for processing the referral)

  • Previous ENT History (If applicable)
  • Social modifiers i.e. effect on home schooling, out of home residence
  • Previous audiology/screening results if applicable
  • History including other medical or developmental issues (school delays)

Out of catchment

Metro North Health is responsible for providing public health services to the people who reside within its boundaries. Special consideration is made for patients requiring tertiary care or services that are not provided by their local Hospital and Health Service. If your patient lives outside the Metro North Health area and you wish to refer them to one of our services, inclusion of information regarding their particular medical and social factors will assist with the triaging of your referral.

  • Impact on employment
  • Impact on education
  • Impact on home
  • Impact on activities of daily living
  • Impact on ability to care for others
  • Impact on personal frailty or safety
  • Identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander

  • To establish a diagnosis
  • For treatment or intervention
  • For advice and management
  • For specialist to take over management
  • Reassurance for GP/second opinion
  • For a specified test/investigation the GP can’t order, or the patient can’t afford or access
  • Reassurance for the patient/family
  • For other reason (e.g. rapidly accelerating disease progression)
  • Clinical judgement indicates a referral for specialist review is necessary

  • Presenting symptoms (evolution and duration)
  • Physical findings
  • Details of previous treatment (including systemic and topical medications prescribed) including the course and outcome of the treatment
  • Body mass index (BMI)
  • Details of any associated medical conditions which may affect the condition or its treatment (e.g. diabetes), noting these must be stable and controlled prior to referral
  • Current medications and dosages
  • Drug allergies
  • Alcohol, tobacco and other drugs use

  • Full name (including aliases)
  • Date of birth
  • Residential and postal address
  • Telephone contact number/s – home, mobile and alternative
  • Medicare number (where eligible)
  • Name of the parent or caregiver (if appropriate)
  • Preferred language and interpreter requirements
  • Identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander

  • Full name
  • Full address
  • Contact details – telephone, fax, email
  • Provider number
  • Date of referral
  • Signature

  • Willingness to have surgery (where surgery is a likely intervention)
  • Choice to be treated as a public or private patient
  • Compensable status (e.g. DVA, Work Cover, Motor Vehicle Insurance, etc.)
Back to top