Hearing and Balance

Most appointments are offered at King Edward VII Hospital in Windsor and St Mark’s hospital in Maidenhead, although some less complex and more routine appointments can be performed at Upton Hospital in Slough and Skimped Hill Health Centre in Bracknell.

We work closely with other professionals including Ear Nose and Throat Consultants, Teachers of the Hearing impaired, Specialist Speech and Language Therapists, Pediatricians and Social Services to provide a high quality and integrated service to children, young people and their families. 

Hearing tests

Our aim is to evaluate your child's hearing levels and identify if they have any hearing difficulties. For children under six months it is usually best if your child is asleep at the time of testing, because at that age they are usually too young to show reliable responses to the sounds that they hear. Over six months of age, most children are usually able to look for sounds; so we are able to teach them that when they look for a sound they are given a visual reward. Older children (usually from around two and a half to three years old and over) are taught games to play which involve responding when they hear a noise.

Tests will be chosen based upon observation of the child in clinic as well as information supplied by the parent/guardian and referrer. It is our aim to identify the nature, degree and extent of any potential hearing problem as soon as we can. Sometimes this might need to be done over a number of sessions so that we can gather as much accurate information as we can.

Glue ear

Some children experience temporary hearing loss caused by congestion behind the ear drum, which is commonly known as glue ear. At your appointment we will talk with you about the impact this may have on your child and how best to manage it. See the NHS conditions guide for more information.

Hearing aids

Fitting hearing aids is an important part of our service. Hearing aids for permanent or temporary hearing losses can be fitted to children of any age. We’re also involved with the Newborn Hearing Screening program and can fit appropriate hearing aids to babies as young as two or three months old. See NHS choices for more information.

NHS hearing aids and hearing aid batteries use up-to-date digital technology and are provided free on the NHS and can come in a range of colours.

Our team has many years’ experience in testing and fitting hearing aids to babies and young children. The way we fit hearing aids is based on research, government and NDCS guidelines so you know we're giving you and your child the best possible care. Getting hearing aids can be daunting but we are here to help you, and there are lots of resources to help you and your child understand what is involved in having hearing aids. See the NDCS information for families guide for more information.

Hearing aids and hearing aid batteries are provided free on the NHS and are all up-to-date digital technology.

Permanent hearing loss

If we have found that your child has a permanent hearing loss, we will discuss with you what impact this is likely to have on your child. We will talk with you about how we can best provide audiological/hearing aid support and rehabilitation appropriate for your child and family, we will also signpost to any other services that may be of help to you.