Hearing Loss
Emergency referrals
All urgent cases must be discussed with the on call ENT Registrar. Contact through Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital (07) 3646 8111 to obtain appropriate prioritisation and treatment.
Urgent cases accepted via phone must be accompanied with a written referral and a copy faxed immediately to the Central Patient Intake Unit: 1300 364 952.
Does your patient wish to be referred?
Minimum referral criteria
Does your patient meet the minimum referral criteria?
Category 1
Appointment within 30 days is desirable
- Rapid progressive severe unilateral or bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and/or vertigo
Category 2
Appointment within 90 days is desirable
- No category 2 criteria
Category 3
Appointment within 365 days is desirable
- Bilateral severe to profound hearing loss and any of the following:
- poor speech discrimination
- does not receive adequate benefit from hearing aids
- Chronic hearing loss – change in symptoms or clinical findings
If your patient does not meet the minimum referral criteria
Consider other treatment pathways or an alternative diagnosis.
If you still need to refer your patient:
- Please explain why (e.g. warning signs or symptoms, clinical modifiers, uncertain about diagnosis, etc.)
- Please note that your referral may not be accepted or may be redirected to another service
Other important information for referring practitioners
Not an exhaustive list
- Cerumen dissolving drops and possible suction or irrigation
- Oral decongestant, Valsalva manoeuvres and re-evaluate after 3 weeks
- Arrange diagnostic audiological assessment
- For hearing aid wearers, refer to their local hearing aid provider to ensure optimal hearing aid fitting
Referral requirements
A referral may be rejected without the following information.
Send referral
Hotline: 1300 364 938
Fax: 1300 364 952
Electronic: eReferral system
Mail: Metro North Central Patient Intake
Aspley Community Centre
776 Zillmere Road
ASPLEY QLD 4034
Health pathways
Access to Health Pathways is free for clinicians in Metro North Brisbane.
For login details email:
healthpathways
Login to Brisbane North Health Pathways:
brisbanenorth.