Referral to audiology services

If a parent is concerned about their child’s hearing, you must refer them for a formal audiological assessment.

Undiagnosed or late-diagnosed hearing loss has significant consequences.

• We require a referral for all audiology services except for cochlear implant assessments.
• We accept referrals from medical practitioners allied health professionals and child health nurses.
• All referrals and appointments are arranged from our main office at the Royal Hobart Hospital.

Information about cochlear implant services

We do not require a referral for the following patients:

• Cochlear implant assessment
  Please provide a recent audiogram and information about your patient’s hearing aids.
• Adults and children with cochlear implants who wish to transfer to our clinic.
  Please provide a handover report and speech processor MAPping file before booking an appointment.
• Infants under 12 months for hearing screening or diagnostic assessment.

How we categorise audiology referrals

• We triage all referrals in order of urgency.
• Categories of urgency are outlined on the Outpatients website.
• Download a referral template here.

How to refer a patient for the cochlear implant program

• Please provide a medical referral addressed to Dr Simone Boardman.
• Please include a copy of a recent hearing test.
• Please state the referral as ‘indefinite’ given the chronic or permanent nature of the hearing loss.
• An indefinite referral covers all future appointments.

Please include the following information in your referral:

• Patient contact details and preferred contact person
• Interpreter requirements and language
• History and aetiology of hearing loss
• Current audiogram and information about hearing aids
• Relevant medical issues, especially issues that may increase the anaesthetic risk
• Summary of relevant test results (for example, radiology)
• Your details and provider number. This is a Medicare-billed clinic. There are no out-of-pocket costs to Medicare eligible patients.

The referral should be addressed to:
Dr Simone Boardman
c/o – Audiology Service
Wellington Clinic, Royal Hobart Hospital
GPO Box 1061
Hobart TAS 7000

Where appointments are held

• Audiology and speech pathology appointments is at the Royal Hobart Hospital.
• Implant surgery and medical care is in Launceston.