Audiology Services
The Audiology Department has an established highly developed team of audiologists that work closely with ENT, Audio-vestibular Medicine and Social Care, providing an extensive range of hearing and balance services at venues across the Bolton area. This includes diagnostic investigations and management of hearing loss, tinnitus (noises in the ears) and balance problems.
Hearing protection, communication and hearing aid talks are available free of charge.
Staff
Head of Service / Clinical Lead Angela Mack - MSc Audiology
Advanced Practitioner / Deputy Martin Anderson - MSc Advanced Practice
Lead Clinical Educator Linda Reid - Senior Audiologist
Volunteer Co-ordinator Julie Crowther - Community Support Officer
Team Leaders
Balance Laura Culbert, MSc Advanced practice
Tinnitus Carole Fearns, Senior Audiologist
Complex Hearing Alyson Grayson, Senior Audiologist
Learning Disability Martin Anderson, Advanced Practitioner
Transition from paediatric services Linda Reid, Senior Audiologist
Elderly Screening Catherine Bramwell, Senior Audiologist
Community Provision Jennifer Tuck, Senior Audiologist
Service Description
Hearing Services
Choose and book and Direct Access
Bolton GPs can refer patients with hearing loss for a hearing aid assessment, using choose ad book if they meet the following criteria;
- Are over 50 years of age
- Have hearing levels which are similar in both ears
- Any hearing loss is not of sudden onset or fluctuating
- No disturbing tinnitus (noises in the ears) or vertigo
- Ears are free of wax, infection, discharge, perforation and skin conditions
Patients aged 60 and over, with a Bolton GP can also self refer for a hearing aid assessment if they meet the above criteria, by contacting department directly.
Patients also requiring an ENT opinion can access hearing services via ENT choose and book.
Screening
Arrangements can be made for groups of elderly people to be screened for hearing loss and ear problems by contacting the Audiology Department.
Hearing Aid Maintenance and Repairs
Open access repairs sessions available for hearing aid and ear piece maintenance at the following times;
Royal Bolton Hospital
Monday 9.30 - 12.30 2.00 - 4.30
Tuesday 9.30 - 12.30 2.00 - 4.30
Wednesday 9.30 - 12.30 2.00 - 4.30
Thursday 9.30 - 12.30 2.00 - 4.30
Friday 9.30 - 12.30 closed
Sensory Centre, Brinks Place, Chorley Street, Bolton
Thursday 9.30 - 12.00
Support and maintenance is provided at a range of other locations across the Bolton Area, in partnership with Action on Hearing Loss volunteers.
Please contact the department to find out where your nearest clinic is held or if you are interested in becoming a volunteer.
Note that adjustments to Digital Hearing Aid settings is strictly by appointment only.
Batteries are available from the department, at outreach clinics or by post. The old batteries and the service book are required, and a stamp for the return postage if requesting batteries by post.
Existing Hearing Aid Users
Patients that have not been seen for over 5 years or that are having difficulty with their NHS hearing aid should contact the department to arrange an appointment.
Tips
A hearing aid may whistle for the following reasons:
- Wax or infection in the ear
- Hole in tube
- Ear mould incorrectly inserted
- Poor fitting ear mould
A hearing aid may stop working for the following reasons:
- Wax in the tube - check tube is not blocked
- Dead battery or battery in wrong way round
- Faulty aid
Contact the Audiology Department or attend a repairs session if not resolved.
Tinnitus
Rehabilitation audiologists provide equipment, information and support. They work with patients to deliver personalised tinnitus management programmes, based on Cognitive Behavioural and Retraining Therapy models.
Referrals are accepted from ENT and Advanced Audiology Practitioner clinics.
Balance
A full range of diagnostic vestibular investigations are available, including videonystagmography, electocochleography and rotating chair.
In vestibular rehabilitation clinics audiologists work with patients to agree and deliver individual management plans based on the patient's abilities and goals.
The team work closely with ENT, Audio-vestibual Medicine and Physiotherapy.
Adults with Learning Difficulties
Department works in partnership with Social Care to provide annual ear and hearing screening for adults with learning difficulties. The Bolton team have audiologists with a particular interest in provision of hearing aids and services to this client group. The innovative model of care developed by Bolton has been acknowledged and publicised nationally.
Direct access to hearing screening and hearing aid services is available for all adults with learning difficulties in Bolton. Please contact the department for details, referrals can be made by the individual, family members, carers or other professionals.
Advanced Practitioner Clinics
Advanced Practitioners in audiology work alongside the ENT Consultants Clinics to identify and treat hearing loss, tinnitus and dizziness.
They are experienced audiologists that have completed a 2 year masters degree in advanced practice, providing them with additional clinical skills to diagnose and manage hearing, tinnitus and balance problems.
Patients with hearing loss, tinnitus or vertigo can be referred by their GP to these clinics via choose and book.
Advanced Practitioner Clinics are not suitable for patients presenting with following conditions and a referral to ENT would be more appropriate:
- Sudden hearing loss
- Discharging or wax occluded ears
- Pulsitile Tinnitus
- Acute vertigo
- Conditions likely to require surgical intervention
Contact Numbers
Audiology Department
Royal Bolton Hospital
Minerva Road
Farnworth
Bolton
BL4 0JR
tel: 01204 390435
sms: 07787 002308