Information for healthcare professionals

When to refer

• Pure-tone threshold of 80dB or worse, at two or more frequencies (500Hz, 1,000Hz, 2,000Hz, 3,000Hz and 4,000Hz) in both ears
• Less than 50% on AB word test (three list average) when presented at 70 dBA in the patient’s best aided condition. (The referrer does not have to complete speech testing in advance of referring, this will be performed at the assessment.)

Please display the below posters in local audiology clinic rooms to prompt clinicians to offer referrals.

•  BGIC referral guidelines poster

All cochlear implant centres in the UK abide by The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidance. 

• Nice guidance

How to refer

• complete our CI referral form

• send in your own patient referral via email or post

Referral content

• patient Information: name, address, DOB, NHS number
• hearing information: brief hearing history, hearing aid use, all previous audiograms.
• speech test results
• hearing aid fitting details: prescription formula, REM details or screenshots
• accessory use (Streamers / FM / Mics)
• motivation for implant
• lifestyle

Referral address

Louise Craddock
Midlands Hearing Implant Programme
Queen Elizabeth Hospital Audiology Centre
Ground Floor, Nuffield House
Edgbaston
Birmingham, B15 2TH

We accept referrals from

• Audiologists (NHS and private) 
• ENT specialists
• General Practitioners (GPs)
• other medical specialties with information on candidates’ hearing thresholds.

Take a look at the British Cochlear Implant Group's advice below for more information on referrals.

• British Cochlear Implant Group's advice on referrals

Information to issue to patients

• Midlands Hearing Implant Programme homepage
• Cochlear implant resources:
  • Order Cochlear implant brochures from Cochlear
  • Cochlear – When to consider and implant for adults
• British Cochlear Implant Group: patient's area