For health professionals
Referral instructions
Newborn hearing screening
Parents/carers of babies born in Queensland do not require a GP referral to access a Newborn Hearing Screen. Babies not screened in hospital at the time of birth will be offered an outpatient appointment. If parents haven’t received an appointment within a couple of weeks of birth, they should contact their birthing hospital to arrange one.
Parent/carers of home birthed babies should discuss referral to the appropriate maternity hospital with their midwife. They can also self-refer or contact Healthy Hearing head office for more information.
Ideally, screening is completed by one month of age.
For babies who have passed the Newborn Hearing Screening but require Audiology Assessment, a GP referral is required to either a public or private paediatric Audiology service.
Queensland Children’s Hospital Childhood Hearing Clinic
The Queensland Children’s Hospital Childhood Hearing Clinic provides care and support services for children (from birth up to 2 years) who have been recently diagnosed with permanent hearing loss, and reside in Queensland and Northern New South Wales. A GP referral plus a report confirming a child or young person’s permanent hearing loss from an audiologist is required for this clinic. Referrals should be sent to Childhood_Hearing@health.qld.gov.au.
Queensland Hearing Loss Family Support Service
The Queensland Hearing Loss Family Support Service (QHLFSS) supports Queensland families with children who have a permanent hearing loss. The service aims to minimise the time between a child’s diagnosis of hearing loss and families receiving support and services. Referrals to the QHLFSS can be made by calling 1800 352 075, or by completing and returning a referral form to QHLFSS@health.qld.gov.au.
Guidelines and protocols
- Audiology diagnostic assessment protocol
- QChild data sharing protocol
- Minimum Standards of Practice: Early intervention for children who are deaf or hard of hearing and their families
- Medical guidelines for children born with a permanent hearing loss
- Parent Professional Charter
Forms
- Newborn Hearing Screening and referral
- Healthy Hearing Consent
- CMV PCR test request
- Hearing Loss Management Summary
- The Screening Protocols and Guidelines
Education, training and workshops
Queensland Health Healthy Hearing Online Training Portal
- iLearn Catalogue – Queensland Health enrolment (for Queensland Health staff only)
- iLearn Catalogue – Private hospital enrolment
Publications
- “A Systematic Review of the Literature on Early Intervention for Children with a Permanent Hearing Loss”
Contact us
General enquiries
t: 07 3310 6222
e: Healthy_Hearing@health.qld.gov.au
Area coordinators
Northern area
t: 07 4433 1838
Central area
t: 07 3310 6221
Southern area
t: 07 3163 5142
