The professionals in your team

There will be many professionals who form part of your baby’s support team. The professionals are part of a multi-disciplinary team. They are there to guide and support you and assist you in learning about your child’s hearing loss.

Some you will see once or twice, but a number will become a regular part of your life as your child grows. You and your family are the most important people on your baby’s team. Professionals will come and go, but you are there for the long haul. However, a good team of health professionals who can guide and support you is invaluable.

Note: We use the term ‘professionals’ to mean any of the hearing health professionals you might encounter.

Doctors

When your child needs to see a specialist doctor, you will need a referral from either your GP or another specialist doctor. Referrals from GPs are valid for 12 months. Referrals from other specialists are valid for 3 months.

General Practitioner (GP)
A General Practitioner or GP specialises in family medicine and is usually the first point of care for most people seeking health care. A GP can provide ongoing care for a variety of medical problems. It is highly recommended that you find a good GP who suits your family’s needs. Your GP can provide referrals to specialists your child may need to see and coordinate your child and family’s ongoing medical and healthcare needs.

Ear Nose and Throat Specialist (ENT)
ENTs are doctors trained in the medical and surgical treatment of ears, nose and throat conditions including hearing disorders and ear infections. The ENT can investigate possible causes of your child’s hearing loss and treat any underlying ear infections. Some ENTs also perform cochlear implant surgery. All children with a hearing loss should see an ENT.

Paediatrician
A paediatrician is a doctor who specialises in the care and treatment of babies and children. The paediatrician will monitor your child’s growth and development and any ongoing health needs. It is recommended that all children with a hearing loss see a paediatrician.

Geneticist
Geneticists are doctors who specialise in genetic diseases or disorders. A geneticist can investigate whether your child’s hearing loss has a genetic cause and advise you on the risks of a similar genetic hearing loss if you have more children.

Ophthalmologist
An ophthalmologist is a doctor who specialises in diagnosing and treating disorders of the eye. It is recommended that your child should be referred to an ophthalmologist after it has been confirmed they have a permanent sensorineural hearing loss and then regularly throughout their childhood.

A small number of children with a hearing loss may need to also see:

Cardiologist
A cardiologist is a doctor who specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease.

Nephrologist
A nephrologist is a doctor who specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of kidney disease.

Other healthcare professionals

Audiologist

An audiologist is a healthcare professional who specialises in diagnosing, managing, treating and monitoring hearing and balance problems. Audiologists fit hearing aids and program cochlear implants. If your child uses a listening device, the audiologists at Hearing Australia will be responsible for your child’s audiological management until they turn 26.

Social worker or family support worker

Newborn hearing screening programs usually refer families to a social worker or a family support worker (their title varies from state to state) within their program. They are trained to provide counselling, guidance, and assistance. They can guide and support you until you connect with Hearing Australia and early intervention services. They can advise you about any financial or other assistance available to you.

Early intervention service

Early intervention provides services to families to assist their children to get the best start in life. Early intervention aims to help your baby with hearing loss learn to communicate, use any available hearing, and interact socially. Early intervention professionals might include:

• Speech pathologists are trained to assess and treat people with communication difficulties. Speech pathologists deal with all aspects of communication, including speech, writing, reading, signs, symbols, and gestures.
• Auditory-verbal therapists (also called Listening and Spoken Language Specialists) are trained in Auditory-Verbal Therapy, which encourages children with hearing loss to use their hearing to listen, process verbal language and speak. 
• Teachers of the Deaf are teachers who have done additional training to teach children with hearing loss.
• Other allied health professionals, such as physiotherapists and occupational therapists, might also be included in your child’s team, depending on their needs.

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Early Childhood partner

Early childhood partners are local organisations funded by the NDIS with specialist skills in early childhood intervention.