Extended scope of practice audiology in the ENT outpatient clinic - a pilot study

To investigate the feasibility of using an extended scope (ES) audiology service to provide care to non-urgent adult patients waiting for an Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) appointment.

Based on suitability criteria developed by the Audiology and ENT departments, an internal review of the ENT wait list identified patients who would be suitable for an ES audiology clinic.

220 non-urgent patients on the ENT wait list with hearing loss and/or tinnitus.

A total of 220 patients were transferred from the ENT wait list to the ES audiology clinic: 200 (90.9%) were seen by the ES Audiologist and 20 (9.1%) patients self-discharged or did not attend the appointment. Out of the 200 patients seen, 175 (87.5%) were assessed, managed and discharged without the need for input from an Otologist. The remaining 25 (12.5%) patients needed an Otologist's input.

This study has demonstrated the feasibility of an ES audiology clinic in a tertiary teaching hospital. Of those seen by ES audiologist, 87.5% were discharged from the ENT wait list without medical intervention. This model may represent an effective alternative pathway for lengthy outpatient waiting list management whilst providing patients with timely access to care.