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Information for healthcare professionals

When to refer

Table showing the hearing loss range which makes a patient eligible for referral

Refer patients with bilateral severe to profound hearing loss with thresholds equal to 80dB or worse at any two frequencies between 500 Hz and 4,000Hz.

  • Pure-tone threshold of 80dB or worse, at two or more frequencies (500Hz, 1,000Hz, 2,000Hz, 3,000Hz and 4,000Hz) in both ears
  • Less than 50% on AB word test (three list average) when presented at 70 dBA in the patient’s best aided condition. (The referrer does not have to complete speech testing in advance of referring, this will be performed at the assessment.)

Please display the below posters in local audiology clinic rooms to prompt clinicians to offer referrals.

All cochlear implant centres in the UK abide by The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance. 

How to refer

  • send in your own patient referral via email or post

Referral content

  • patient Information: name, address, DOB, NHS number
  • hearing information: brief hearing history, hearing aid use, all previous audiograms.
  • speech test results
  • hearing aid fitting details: prescription formula, REM details or screenshots
  • accessory use (Streamers / FM / Mics)
  • motivation for implant
  • lifestyle

Referral address

Louise Craddock
Midlands Hearing Implant Programme
Queen Elizabeth Hospital Audiology Centre
Ground Floor, Nuffield House
Edgbaston
Birmingham, B15 2TH

We accept referrals from

  • Audiologists (NHS and private) 
  • ENT specialists
  • General Practitioners (GPs)
  • other medical specialties with information on candidates’ hearing thresholds.

Take a look at the British Cochlear Implant Group's advice below for more information on referrals.

Information to issue to patients

Last reviewed: 17 July 2023