The adult diagnostics audiology department at the Royal National ENT and Eastman Dental Hospitals provides a comprehensive range of auditory (hearing) and vestibular (balance) assessments to enable accurate clinical diagnosis in a range of hearing and/or balance related conditions.

This page is designed for patients scheduled to attend our department.

Before you attend your appointment

If you wear hearing aids, please bring them and any glasses you require to your appointment.​ 

We encourage you to bring a family member, friend, or carer to your appointment for support. 

We can arrange interpreters for all languages, including British Sign Language (BSL).

To help things run smoothly during your visit, please follow these clinic guidelines:

  • Refrain from taking any vestibular suppressants (medications for balance) 48 hours before your appointment.
  • Do not consume any alcohol beverage for 48 hours before your appointment.
  • Do not wear eye make-up on the day.
  • Avoid loud noise exposure 24 hours before hearing testing.
  • If you have not recently had your ears examined, please visit your GP to ensure your ears are free of wax.

Please try to arrive 10 minutes before your appointment start time. If you fail to arrive on time, you will not be seen.

During the appointment

Please be aware that we are a teaching department, and we would appreciate the co-operation of patients in supporting our students in their training. Please let the audiologist know if you are uncomfortable with a student being present and we will try to accommodate accordingly. 

Initially the audiologist will discuss any hearing or balance difficulties, take a brief history, and examine your ears using an otoscope to check that your ears are healthy and free from wax. You may be asked to complete a questionnaire about your symptoms.

Each assessment will be fully explained to you by the audiologist to ensure you understand, and to give you an opportunity to ask questions. Each appointment generally takes 30 to 60 minutes, but some may take up to two hours.

Please note it may not be necessary to conduct every listed assessment. The audiologist will determine which tests are most appropriate for you during your appointment. Please visit having tests at the adult diagnostic audiology clinic for more details on the various tests that may be conducted during your appointment.