Referral to emergency
If any of the following are present or suspected, please refer the patient to the emergency department (via ambulance if necessary) or seek emergent medical advice if in a remote region.
- sudden sensorineural hearing loss
For clinical advice, please telephone the relevant metropolitan Local Health Network switchboard and ask to speak to the relevant specialty service.
Central Adelaide Local Health Network
- Royal Adelaide Hospital (08) 7074 0000
- The Queen Elizabeth Hospital (08) 8222 6000
Northern Adelaide Local Health Network
- Lyell McEwin Hospital (08) 8182 9000
- Modbury Hospital (08) 8161 2000
Southern Adelaide Local Health Network
- Flinders Medical Centre (08) 8204 5511
Category 1 — appointment clinically indicated within 30 days
- rapid progressive unilateral or bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and/or vertigo demonstrated on at least 2 audiograms
Category 2 — appointment clinically indicated within 90 days
- progressive asymmetric hearing loss - deteriorating thresholds of > 10 to 15 decibels (dB) across multiple frequencies, in the one ear over 18 months demonstrated on at least 2 audiograms
Category 3 — appointment clinically indicated within 365 days
- bilateral severe to profound hearing loss and any of the following:
- poor speech discrimination
- does not receive benefit from hearing aids
- chronic hearing loss - change in symptoms or clinical findings
- symmetrical or stable asymmetrical hearing loss
For information on referral forms and how to import them, please view general referral information.
Essential referral information
Completion required before first appointment to ensure patients are ready for care. Please indicate in the referral if the patient is unable to access mandatory tests or investigations as they incur a cost or are unavailable locally.
- identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
- relevant social history, including identifying if you feel your patient is from a vulnerable population and/or requires a third party to receive correspondence on their behalf
- interpreter requirements
- presenting complaint description of:
- hearing loss i.e. one or both sides
- change in hearing loss
- history and details of previous management trialled
- diagnostic audiology reports
Additional information to assist triage categorisation
- information regarding any hearing aids or hearing devices and communication mode utilised by the patient e.g. Auslan
- speech discrimination test report
- relevant reports and investigations
Clinical management advice
- medical management:
- cerumen dissolving drops and possible suction or irrigation
- oral decongestant, Valsalva manoeuvres and re-evaluate after 3 weeks
- arrange diagnostic audiological assessment
- for hearing aid wearers, refer to their local hearing aid provider to ensure optimal hearing aid fitting