ENT referral

[Kentlane]

My DS is 4 and has glue ear in both ears. He has had 3 hearing tests on the nhs over the last several months and as the last one confirmed he still has it he is being referred to ENT. At the hearing test they said the ENT consultant would discuss options but likely grommets or hearing aids.

We are desperate to get this done quickly as its really affecting his speach and confidence socialising and starts school in September. We are fortunate that we have health care through work and we checked with them today and they confirmed my DS would be eligible to go private. But they do not pay for hearing aids. However he said we need to call the people that did the hearing test and tell them to change the referral to private and get taken off the nhs list.

Has anyone got experience of this? From reading previous posts on here I was under the impression you stayed on the nhs list until you've seen the private consultant? Im worried if the private consultant recommends hearing aids which we cant afford although we would prefer grommets as he would not keep hearing aids in (we can't even get him to where a hat in the of coldest weather!).

Thanks

I'm afraid I've no idea but hopefully someone will know.

My DD4 was referred to audiology in December, had a hearing test 4 weeks later and is now getting hearing aids beginning of March. 12 weeks from referral to fitting. She has to have a hearing test on the day but I doubt she’ll pass it. She does have severe glue ear in both ears with moderate hearing loss. The audiologist said she needed the hearing aids now as she would in no way manage at school when she starts
we also have a ent referral but it’s a 20 month waiting list for the initial appointment so we are considering private for this in the next few months. But I won’t be coming off the nhs list until the private operation is complete and a success.
I would definitely push for the hearing aids on nhs