IMPORTANT

Sudden or Rapid Hearing Loss

  • If you have had a sudden or rapid change in hearing (occurring over a period of 3 days or less), within last 30 days, then please seek urgent medical care (i.e. GP or NHS 111) explaining your symptoms to them.

  • If you have experienced a sudden unilateral change in hearing, in addition to altered sensation or facial droop on the same side, Seek immediate medical care by calling 999.

Eligibility for audiology self-referral

Any information you provide in the Self-Referral will be handled in accordance with the Trust's privacy notice: www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/your-information/privacy-notice

  • Do you currently have NHS hearing aid from a Dorset NHS?

If YES please contact us directly, so we can arrange appropriate support for you. Please do not complete the self-referral form in this instance (it is only for new to the service referrals). Our contact details are available on the webpage: www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/our-services-hospitals/physical-health/audiology/contact-us-and-find-us

  • Do you have NHS Hearing Aids from a Dorset based Specsavers

If it has been less than 3 years since the NHS Specsavers hearing aids were fitted, please contact Specsavers directly for hearing support. You will be under their care for 3 years. Please do not complete the self-referral form in this instance.

  • The Audiology self-referral service is only for individuals who are noticing hearing loss and are aged 50 and over .

If you answer yes to any of the questions below then you cannot self-refer to audiology. Under these circumstances discuss your care with the GP, as although you maybe suited to audiology, alternative or additional departments could be required.

Do you currently have hearing aids from Dorset NHS?
Do you have NHS hearing aids from Specsavers that are less than 3 years old?
Are you under the age of 50?
Sudden or rapid change in hearing?
Persistent or frequent ear pain?
Frequent ear infections or discharge?
Hearing noticeably worse in one ear compared to the other (unless previously investigated by a medical professional)?
Hearing that fluctuates, other than with colds?
Tinnitus in ONE ear (one sided)?
Pulsatile tinnitus (i.e. rhythmic thumping/whooshing/rushing lasting a number of minutes or longer)?
Tinnitus that is distressing (if tinnitus is not distressing you can carry on with self-referral)?
Distressing intolerance to everyday sounds?
Completely housebound (domiciliary patient)?