Doctor’s Referral Form

Refer for OHIP-covered Hearing Tests

Toronto Hearing Services work with Doctors of Audiology and ENTs to provide hearing testing.

Note that OHIP only covers hearing tests that are medically necessary. For example:

Ringing in the ears / Tinnitus – a very common sign of hearing loss!
Hidden Hearing Loss – or technically Cochlear Synaptopathy. A loss of some hearing nerves that does not show on a standard hearing test thresholds.
Difficulty hearing in noise / Speech-in-Noise (SIN) – a symptom of another type of hidden hearing loss, which usually shows normal hearing on the standard hearing test, as it’s actually the brain that is struggling!
Family reports of hearing problem – hearing loss is not commonly self-reported. So when the family have the concern, it’s a sign.
Baseline of hearing performance – once your patient reaches 45+ years old (mid-life), they are at risk of hearing loss that, if untreated, increases the risk of cognitive impairment.
Failed / Did not have Infant Hearing Screening – while those who failed are usually properly followed up, there are those who have fallen through, or simply were not tested at all.
Stayed in NICU for more than 5 days at infancy – Joint Committee on Infant Hearing classified this as a high-risk factor for permanent, progressive, or late-onset hearing loss
Speech Delay – while hearing is not in the way for a lot of speech delay cases, it is essential to clear this box and confirm.

Standard hearing test is only the first step. To actually diagnose hearing problems for your patient, Toronto Hearing Services provides complete diagnostic hearing evaluations that includes:

Standard hearing test – otoscopy for outer ear blockage, tympanometry for middle ear functions, speech frequencies up to 8kHz sensitivity, speech audiometry for speech clarity
Extended high frequency testing (up to 20kHz) – missing on these frequencies is still considered hearing loss, and might show the same symptoms!
Central Auditory Processing (CAP) testing – A neurological processing disorder where the brain struggles to sort, filter, and make sense of the sound signals it receives.
Speech-in-noise testing (LISN-S and/or QuickSIN) – Sounds get in, but it’s up to the brain to figure out what’s the thing you want to hear. That’s the processing problem we have to find out.
Cognitive screening (Cognivue®) – Even the slightest hearing loss has been found to be causing cognitive impairment, which is a big factor behind cognitive decline. The screening will inform you whether damage has been done, and advise you on the urgency for treatment.
Hearing aid consultations and fittings – The treatment to many hearing problems, particularly those that are sensorineural!