You have been sent an outpatient appointment to be seen as a new patient in the department of neuro-otology.

This is a specialist department for patients with hearing and balance disorders.  You have purposely been given an appointment at the start of the clinic as you may need to have a number of hearing and balance tests, which will be conducted by a team of audiologists and doctors. We will give you some questionnaires to fill in during your appointment. These are a very important part of your care, and will help us to understand your symptoms, give you a diagnosis and plan the right treatments for you. The questionnaire and test results will help the doctors to make a diagnosis and management plan, and will be discussed with you at the end of your appointment.

Your appointment may last for the whole morning or afternoon in order that all necessary investigations may be carried out.  If possible, it is helpful to come accompanied but please do not worry if this is difficult.

If you have been prescribed any of the following drugs, you are advised to stop taking them for 48 hours prior to your appointment.

  • STUGERON (also known as Cinnarizine)
  • STEMETIL (also known as Prochlorperazine or Buccastem)
  • SERC  (also known as Betahistine)

BUT you should NOT stop any other medication and if you are in any doubt about what tablets you take or which tablets you should stop, you should ask your own doctor for advice.

You are also asked not to drink any alcohol in the 24 hours prior to your appointment and to have no more than a light breakfast or lunch. 

Please visit your GP prior to your appointment to check that your ears are clear of wax, which may stop us carrying out certain tests. If necessary, your own doctor can arrange for its removal.

Urine samples are not required.

If possible, please do not wear make-up around your eyes or forehead as this will need to be removed before some of the tests are carried out.

If you have concerns about any of the above information, please speak to your GP or contact our department: 020 3448 3385/3386/3135 (text relay calls accepted).

Thank you for your co-operation. We look forward to seeing you.