Specialty: ENT
Age group: Children
Direct to an emergency department for an ENT assessment
- Sudden hearing loss due to trauma or with neurological signs
- Sudden, profound hearing loss.
Criteria for referral to public hospital service
- Asymmetrical hearing loss with significant impact on the child
- Sensorineural hearing loss confirmed by diagnostic audiology assessment
- Symmetrical hearing loss caused by ototoxic medicine(s).
Information to be included in the referral
Information that must be provided
- Reason for referral and expectation or outcome, anticipated by the patient, or their carer, and the referring clinician from referral to the health service
- Findings on physical examination including otoscopic examination
- Description of hearing loss or change in hearing
- The functional or psychological impact on quality of life or activities of daily living including impact on school, study, or social activities
- Details of previous management including the course of treatment(s) and outcome of treatment(s) including details of any relevant infections
- Child's age
- Relevant medical history and comorbidities
- Results of diagnostic audiology assessment.
Provide if available
- Relevant family history
- Relevant medication history
- Statement about the parent(s) or guardian’s interest in having surgical treatment if that is a possible intervention
- If the child is neurodiverse, gender diverse or has a disability
- If the child identifies as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
- If the child is from a culturally and linguistically diverse background
- If the child lives in out-of-home care (foster care, kinship care, permanent care or residential care)
- If the child is aged 14-18 years, do they consent that their health information is shared with their parent, guardian or carer.
Additional comments
The Minimum information for referrals to non-admitted specialist services lists the information that should be included in a referral request.
The referral should note if the request is for a second or subsequent opinion as requests for a second opinion will usually not be accepted.
Where appropriate and available the referral may be directed to an alternative specialist clinic or service.
Referral to a public hospital is not appropriate for
- Child with a normal audiogram.
Reviewed 25 June 2025