People aged over 50 who develop a hearing problem can now refer themselves for hearing assessments and hearing aids at Noble’s Hospital.
The new self-referral service was made available last week and gives residents a direct route to assessments at the audiology service.
Previously, anyone with a hearing problem had to first make an appointment with their GP who, following a consultation and examination, could refer a patient to the audiology service, if deemed appropriate.
Minister for Health and Social Care Howard Quayle MHK said the change in the service is more convenient for Isle of Man residents.
‘An important component for our new health and social care strategy is encouraging and empowering individuals to take responsibility for their own health and wellbeing through healthy lifestyle choices and “self-care” when it’s appropriate.
‘Building on this, we want to speed up access to services when patients need them. GPs have a vital role to play when any of us become unwell or develop a medical problem. Sometimes however, where there are very specific symptoms and it is obvious what tests or treatment will be necessary, it makes sense to ensure there is timely access to specialist care such as when people experience hearing problems as they age.
‘By giving those aged 50 and over with a hearing problem the option to self-refer, we hope to increase choice and convenience for patients whilst potentially reducing the number of GP appointments.’
Hearing related problems become more common with age, which is why only patients over 50 will be able to self-refer, although they can still see their GP in the first instance, should they wish.
In order to self refer, people must be over the age of 50 and must not have any pain in the ears, hearing loss affecting only one ear, tinnitus (noises such as ringing or buzzing) affecting only one ear, episodes of dizziness where you feel you are spinning and you feel sick or hearing loss that has come on within three months.
Anyone experiencing these symptoms should visit their GP.
Those under 50 will still need to see their GP for any hearing related problems to discuss symptoms and eliminate any other potential causes and health issues.
Self-referral forms are available from all the island’s GP practices, the audiology department at Noble’s Hospital and also on the ‘audiology (hearing)’ page on www.gov.im
Patients are usually seen within eight weeks.
The Department of Health and Social Care introduced self-referral for physiotherapy treatment in 2012 which helped to reduce waiting times and the number of GP appointments.