MFT Audiology (Hearing and Balance) Centre

General information

Hearing loss affects 1 in 7 people in the UK. It can affect people of all ages and can have a significant impact on a person's family, social, and work lives.

Audiology is the diagnosis and rehabilitation of hearing and balance difficulties and often has strong links with ear, nose and throat medicine. If you are referred to an Audiology department, you will be seen by an Audiologist. Audiologists are highly trained healthcare professionals, many with specialist areas of experience within Audiology.

The Central Manchester Audiology team are dedicated to providing personalised high-quality specialist care for patients with hearing and balance disorders to reduce the impact of these conditions. The service provides diagnostic and rehabilitative services for adults and children with symptoms of hearing loss, dizziness, tinnitus or hyperacusis, and auditory processing disorder (APD).

Our team of 20 Audiologists, six Speech and Language Therapists, and one Hearing Therapist work at Manchester Royal Infirmary with some specialised clinics held at Royal Manchester Children's Hospital. The service is integrated with the Ear, Nose and Throat department at Manchester Royal Infirmary and the Richard Ramsden Centre for Auditory Implant Centre.

Regional Services

Many of the services offered by Central Manchester Audiology Services are specialist regional services, including;
Bone Anchored Hearing Aids (BAHAs)
The Specialist Hearing Assessment and Rehabilitation Clinic (SHARC)
Middle ear implants
Tinnitus therapy
Rehabilitation for adults with learning disabilities
Diagnostic and rehabilitation services for those with balance difficulties
The Richard Ramsden Centre for Auditory Implants incorporating the Cochlear and Auditory Brainstem Implant Programmes

The department is dedicated to improving patient experience of these services through research and audit. In addition, teaching and training is provided for students at the University of Manchester studying Audiology. Find out more about Audiology courses at the University of Manchester.

The department has hosted meetings for other Audiology services in the North West to improve services for adults with complex hearing needs, and national cochlear implant conferences.