Specialty: ENT
Age group: Adult
Direct to an appropriate emergency department for an ENT assessment and commencement of treatment:
- Sudden onset hearing loss in the absence of clear aetiology
- Sudden hearing loss due to trauma or vascular event
- Sudden, profound hearing loss.
Criteria for referral to public hospital specialist clinic services
- Asymmetrical hearing loss with significant impact on the patient
- 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
- Results of diagnostic audiology assessment.
Provide if available
- Description of hearing loss or change in hearing.
Additional comments
The Summary and referral information lists the information that should be included in a referral request. 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
- Symmetrical gradual onset hearing loss
- Symmetrical age-related hearing loss
- Patients with a normal audiogram.
Reviewed 27 May 2025