Strategic Audiology Services will deliver the service in accordance with current clinical protocols specified by the British Society of Audiology and the British Academy of Audiology and ensure the digital hearing aids used are of an equivalent specification to that currently provided by the relevant NHS Trust. The test and clinic rooms used will comply with section 4.2 of the British Standard of Audiology recommended procedure, March 2004.

Equipment supplied by us

A)   Audiometer

B)    Otoscope

C)    Ear impression taking equipment

D)    REM Equipment

E)     Hearing aid programming equipment

F)     NOAH Software & cables

G)    Audit Base / Practice Navigator as appropriate

H)    Computers that support the above

I)       Hearing aids / Moulds

Staff

A senior audiologist with appropriate training and experience in adult audiology to clinically manage and quality assure the service together with audiologists / Hearing Aid Dispensers who are registered with the HAC and Audiologists with a CAC or BAAT certification who are registered with HPC or the RCCP voluntary register.

Services to be delivered

Appointing

A)     Initial appointing to include explanation of the purpose of the test, where it will be carried out and by whom.

B)    Re-appointing as required to complete the patient journey

Patient Journey

Initial assessment ( 60 minutes ) to include:

      A)     Medical history

B)    Glasgow Hearing Aid Benefit / Difference Profile ( part 1 )

C)    Otoscopy

D)    Pure Tone Audiometry (A.C & B.C) to BSA standards

E)     ULL Levels

F)     Referrals as required by TTSA guidelines

G)    Discuss hearing aid options and agree type/model with patient.

H)    Provide Binaural fittings unless it is inappropriate to do so

I)       Impressions(s)

J)     Hand out patient information leaflet

Fitting ( 60 minutes ) (timescale from assessment to be agreed )

      A)     Set aids up

B)    Real Ear Measurement

C)    Advise patient on use (insertion, progs, loop, batteries, care etc )

D)    Onward referral to relevant support agencies as appropriate

Follow up ( 30 minutes ) (8 + weeks after fitting )

      A)     Glasgow Hearing Aid Benefit / Difference Profile ( part 2 )

B)    Fine Tuning (if required)

C)    Assessment of needs regarding sustained continuous use

D)    Real Ear Measurement ( if required )

Interim appointments ( 30 minutes ) offered as required

Completion of contracted number of Patient Journeys

Strategic Audiology Services will return all patient records to the partner NHS Trust in their entirety in a format appropriate to the Trust. At the end of the follow up appointment the requirement for any further patient treatment becomes the responsibility of the Partner NHS Trust. Strategic Audiology Services shall be responsible for replacing any lost/damaged aids until the follow up appointment is completed.

Pathway and reporting

To be agreed locally

Location

 Operating time and days

The service will be provided between the hours of 8.00am – 8.00pm with the details agreed with PCT in advance to reflect adequate time to fulfill the contract within an agreed timeframe.

CRB Checks

All audiologists/dispensers will have had an enhanced CRB Check prior to commencing work.

Changes in Staff

Will be notified to the PCT in advance.

Previous experience