Making the most of every child's hearing.
The Children’s Hearing Service provides expert diagnosis and management for children from birth up to 16 years old who are experiencing hearing difficulties. Our highly experienced paediatric audiology team specialises in assessing and supporting children with hearing loss, including those with multiple conditions and complex needs.
What we offer:
- Comprehensive hearing assessments using a range of objective and subjective tests tailored to your child’s developmental age.
- Diagnosis and management of temporary and permanent hearing loss, including glue ear and other conditions.
- Support for children who require hearing aids, including repairs and replacements (by appointment).
- Referrals to specialist teachers for the hearing impaired to support your child in educational settings.
- Friendly, approachable staff who make the experience comfortable and child-friendly, with age-appropriate games and explanations.
Clinic locations:
- Gravesham Community Hospital (Gravesend)
- Sevenoaks Hospital (Sevenoaks)
- The Orchards Centre (Sittingbourne)
- The Heathside Centre (Maidstone) – main base
Our team travels within West Kent, Medway, and Swale to ensure care is accessible to all families in these areas.
How to access the service:
- Referrals are accepted from any health professional with parental/carer consent. Please use the referral form and email it to the service.
- Referrals are triaged to the most appropriate clinic based on your child’s needs.
- After referral, you will receive a text message questionnaire to complete before an appointment is allocated.
- We aim to offer appointments within six weeks of referral (subject to questionnaire completion).
What to expect:
- On arrival, check in with reception or wait in the main area to be called.
- The audiologist will discuss your concerns, take a detailed history, and perform hearing tests suited to your child’s age.
- Results are explained thoroughly at the end of the appointment, and a written report is sent within a week.
Feedback from families: Our service is consistently praised for its friendly, professional staff, child-friendly approach, and clear communication. We strive to make every visit comfortable and reassuring for both children and parents.
Helpful resources: We provide links to national organisations and information about hearing loss and hearing aids.