Page 23 - Primary Care Audiology

The good news is that, as the RNID acknowledged over 35 years
ago, delivering adult hearing care in primary care settings will
release significant capacity in hospital specialist services to meet
the needs of children. 48
In addition to PCHI, children might experience a temporary
conductive hearing loss. For example, otitis media with effusion
(OME), also known as glue ear, is the most common cause of
hearing impairment in childhood. In most cases, OME resolves
without intervention, but in some cases, it can be more persistent
49
and increase the risk of development problems. OME is typically
managed by GPs in collaboration with secondary care. In the
future, as more specialist audiologists opt to work in primary care
audiology, much of this ongoing care will also be met closer to
home with primary care audiologists working to support the child,
carers and educators together with GP and ENT colleagues.

To support improved access to quality children’s services,
we will:

• Work collaboratively with sector partners, especially the
third sector, to share our expertise in NHS commissioning,
health policy, health regulation and health economics to
secure sustainable and safe care for children within the
overall remodelling of audiology services
• Continue to reduce pressure on adult hospital services
so that departments have the capacity to provide safe
paediatric audiology for all children who need it.

Primary care audiology – accessible ear and hearing care for all 23