New unit for children's hearing checks is opened at Banbury's Horton General Hospital

The new paediatric audiology department was officially opened by 12-year-old patient Antony from Bicester.

The unit means children and young people in north Oxfordshire are able to access specialist hearing assessments without having to travel to the JR, Oxford. It has the added benefit of relieving pressure on the JR department. The Paediatric Audiology Team works across both departments.

The £300,000 cost has been provided by NHS England and Oxford Hospitals Charity at the Horton.

The new facility provides a dedicated environment for paediatric audiology services including a soundproofed room with specialist equipment, enabling clinicians to carry out a range of hearing assessments.

The room was previously a meeting room and has been specially adapted to accommodate a modular soundproof booth weighing six tonnes.

Antony is 12 years old. After his ears did not respond at his newborn screening test, his family were told he might be deaf. Two weeks later they visited the audiology department for a more in-depth assessment where he was diagnosed as profoundly deaf. A further test two weeks after that confirmed the diagnosis.

His mother Mary said: “We were delighted that Antony was picked to officially open the new Paediatric Audiology Outpatient department at the Horton General. It will make a difference to lots of families in north Oxfordshire and the Banbury area who are able to get appointments nearer to home.

"The staff who work in the service have been really helpful for Antony and our family and this new space will make their jobs easier too. It is good news.

“The audiology team was always incredibly supportive and never made me feel alone throughout this journey. They were always so kind, explained everything to me in great detail and greeted me with a big smile every time, giving me so much hope. At the beginning, when you receive a diagnosis like this for your baby, it feels as though the ground has been pulled out from under your feet.

“After the diagnosis, we had regular visits to the audiology department until he was assigned a Teacher of the Deaf, who visited us at home every week. She adjusted his hearing aid as his ear grew and helped him discover new sounds and adapt to his new world of sound.

“Finally, at eight months old, he received his cochlear implants, opening the door to a wonderful new world where he could hear so much better.

“On the day his implants were switched on, he smiled so much and looked at me in disbelief, almost as if he were thanking me as he heard my voice for the first time. He was still such a tiny baby but the whole process went incredibly well and smoothly.

“Today, my lovely son can hear almost as well as the rest of us. Thank you to the fantastic Audiology Department for being by my side every step of the way, never leaving me to face this journey alone. I will always be grateful for the kindness, care and support they have shown us.”