Audiology | Te Tai Tokerau (Northland)

Audiology referrals are accepted from GPs, Ear Nose and Throat Surgeons, Paediatricians, Ear Nurse Specialists, and others in the community.

Paediatric Diagnostic and Habilitation Service

Referrals are accepted for children between 0 - 16 years of age. Adolescents between 16 and 21 years of age may be eligible provided they are in full time education. Please note that we do not currently provide assessment services relating to Auditory Processing Disorder.

Referrals for children & adolescents should detail:

• The level of concern regarding the child or young person’s hearing
• Current speech and language abilities and/or educational concerns
• Any family history of congenital or progressive permanent hearing loss
• Available new-born hearing screening and/or B4 school hearing screening outcomes
• Any history of significant head trauma or infectious illness (e.g. meningitis)
• The extent of any co-existing developmental, intellectual or physical disabilities
• Any other medical conditions that are known to be associated with hearing loss
• Other assistance required for appointment attendance e.g. interpreters, transport.

Acute Adult Hearing Tests

Referrals for individuals with suspected sudden-onset sensorineural hearing loss should be made directly to Northland ENT team or a private Audiology clinic. These assessments are time critical.

Routine Adult Hearing Tests

Referrals are accepted for those who are preparing for or have recently undergone treatment using ototoxic agents, for example intravenous gentamicin or cisplatin chemotherapy. Please detail the agent being used and the start and end dates of the treatment in your referral.

Adult Hearing Aid Services

Whangārei Hospital (and satellite clinics in Kaitaia and Bay of Islands) offers a limited adult hearing aid service for eligible clients. We accept patients having confirmed severe to profound hearing loss in both ears and/or adult patients having dual disability (deaf/blind; intellectual/physical disability) regardless of level of hearing impairment.  

Please detail the specific eligibility criteria that you're referring under, for example "A severe hearing loss in their better hearing ear", or "The person is living in a community home which is managed by a service provider contracted to Disability Support Services and has a hearing loss which together are impairing this person's ability to communicate safely and effectively."

Newborn hearing screening checks are performed to see if your baby hears well. All eligible babies can have Newborn Hearing Screening free of charge.  If your baby has a hearing loss, finding it early will help their language, learning and social development. 

This screening is carried out in both hospital and community settings. Check here for further information on newborn hearing screening in Northland.

Appointment Attendance

Appointment costs are funded by the tax-payer through the Ministry of Health. 

Hearing Aids for Children

Children who are New Zealand Citizens or permanent residents, under 21 years of age and in full time education are eligible for hearing aid funding through the Ministry of Health Hearing Aid funding scheme. Further details regarding funding for children can be found here. Replacement batteries and some repairs can be arranged through Ko Taku Reo.

Hearing Aids for Adults

Adults who meet the above referral criteria may be eligible for hearing aid funding through the Ministry of Health Hearing Aid Funding Scheme.

Further details regarding funding for adults can be found here, including information regarding ACC funding and Veteran’s Affairs Funding.

Open today 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.

Patients, visitors and staff wishing to park on-site at Whangārei Hospital have to pay a parking fee, Monday to Friday 8.30am – 5pm.

The first one (1) hour is free for the public. Weekends and after 5pm during the week is also free. Motorbikes and bicycles can park for free every day.

There are more than 311 ‘public only’ car parks for the public. Of the 311 public car parks there are 33 accessible (disability) parks. The public car parks are highlighted on the map. The main public car park is accessed via Maunu Road (near the main hospital entrance).

There is no fee to drive into the hospital site and drop someone off, as long as you leave within one hour.

Public parking is well signposted. Reserved staff only car parks will have a large blue number painted in the bay. Please do not park in staff only bays.

Our Parking Administrator and the hospital security team are here to help. They will be patrolling the car parks and can also be found at the security desk adjacent to the main entrance.  Call 0800 472 757 to contact the Parking Administrator.

www.northlanddhb.org.nz/