The first twenty minutes of a hearing test
The patient arrives for their first assessment. Before any testing starts, the audiologist works through the case history: personal details, GP practice, medical history they need to know, medication, noise exposure at work, tinnitus, which situations are hardest, what the patient hopes to get out of it. Some answers need a pause while the patient thinks, or checks with their partner.
It is all useful. But much of it could have been answered at home, with time to think, leaving the appointment for the parts that need the clinician.
Why history-taking stays in the booth
- The questionnaire is on paper or in the clinician's head, so there is nothing to send in advance.
- Clinics assume older patients will not complete forms online, so they do not offer it.
- Paper forms sent in the post come back incomplete or not at all.
- Answers written on paper still need typing into the practice system.
- Patients who want to prepare, such as listing situations they struggle in, have nowhere to do it.
What it costs the assessment
Clinician time spent on data entry. Rushed discussions of the results because the history took longer than planned. Patients who forget to mention things because they were asked on the spot. And typing up paper forms after the appointment.
| Question area | Better answered at home? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Contact details and GP | Yes | Accurate, no spelling out |
| Medication list | Yes | Patient can check the packets |
| Situations that are hardest | Yes | Time to think, family can help |
| Clinical questions your team asks in person | Clinician decides | Some need a conversation |
How we build pre-appointment forms
- Your clinical team decides which questions go on the form and which stay in the booth. We build the form from their list, in large, clear text with simple choices.
- When a first assessment is booked, the form is sent by the patient's preferred route: a text link, an email or a printed form by post.
- Family members can help complete it, and the form says so. Answers are saved as they go, so it can be finished later.
- Patients who cannot or would rather not use it can do it by phone with the receptionist, or on a tablet in the waiting room.
- Completed answers go into the patient record in your practice management system where it allows, or as a document attached to the appointment.
- The clinician sees a summary before the patient comes in, with any answers your team wants highlighted shown first.
- Forms not completed a few days before are followed up with a friendly reminder.
The form collects answers. It does not interpret them, and nothing is decided clinically until the clinician reviews them.
The details patients give about themselves, such as a new address, GP practice or mobile number, are compared with what the practice system already holds. Differences are shown to reception to confirm, which quietly keeps your records up to date and helps the reminders and letters that follow reach the right place.
Returning patients coming for a reassessment can be sent a shorter form that shows what they told you last time and asks what has changed.
What the appointment feels like afterwards
The clinician starts the assessment already knowing the basics, and uses the time for the conversation and the testing. Patients arrive having thought about what they want to say. Families who help at home feel involved. Nobody types up paper forms after clinic.
Could this help your assessments?
- The case history takes a large share of first appointments.
- Paper forms are typed into the system after the appointment.
- Patients forget important details when asked on the spot.
- You have never offered a form before the appointment.
- Clinicians run late because assessments overrun.