How Long For A Referral?

[MichaelJH]

I had a hearing test some years ago and was told there was between 10% and 30% loss in my left ear depending on frequency. Two years ago I had a bad bout of the Delta variant. I was bedridden for two weeks. At the same time my voice changed and my hearing deteriorated. My voice returned to normal (I was told it sounded as if it had been marinated in cheap whiskey and Capstan full strength {actually I last smoked 48 years ago this month}). Anyway my hearing has never returned to normal . Since then I have had enough olive oil drops to start an Italian restaurant and multiple (private) micro-suctions. My hearing varies between reasonable and vary poor on virtually a daily basis. My endocrinologist noticed this and wrote to my GP to refer me to Audiology. There seems a reluctance to do this. Since than I have seen a practice nurse who felt wax was a problem. After a number of weeks of further drops I went back on Wednesday and had my ears syringed. The only (slight) improvement corresponded to the oil being flushed out. The nurse wants me to continue with the drops and return for another session. This is starting to really get me down as I am forever asking people to repeat things, have not enjoyed a music CD for over two years and watch TV with subtitles. I also get tinnitus on a daily basis to a varying degree.

How long has it taken people to get a referral to a specialist in Audiology. I feel I am forever speaking with generalists! 😢

[Jaycey]

I had a bad ear infection in April that resulted in a hearing loss and increased tinnitus. I have been on the wait list for Audiology since May. I called this week and was told I am on a wait list to get on the consultant's wait list. I have now booked an appointment for a private consultation. All very frustrating!

[RP1944]

It’s a very long wait on the NHS. I gave up and went private.

[doglover1973]

How long is a piece of string?! It's the wait for ENT that is endless. Ask to go straight to Audiology if possible and ring every week to ask if they can see you. Otherwise you'll still be waiting this time next year .

[MichaelJH]

My problem is I have not even had a referral to Audiology and was wondering when GPs actually decide to make a referral. Can one self refer?

[stormcloud]

I have had similar problems and after 3 years have discovered that you can self refer( NHS) at Specsavers in some areas of the country. I did this and had an appointment with an audiologist quite quickly.Unfortunately, she was unable to do the hearing test due to the build up of wax ( again) although I had been using olive oil drops regularly.As they only do microsuction and not irrigation at Specsavers I had to go away and try to find someone who does irrigation.My GP practice doesn't do irrigation or microsuction so each procedure is quite expensive.I have now managed to find a place that still does irrigation and can then return to Specsavers where they can do a hearing test and fit hearing aids on same day. Hopefully, I will have some improvement in my hearing soon as this has been going on for 3 years with no help from GP other than being told they don't offer irrigation any more.Specsavers would have done microsuction (private) but I won't have it because it makes my tinnitus much worse.

Hope you find a solution soon.