Need to find out what is wrong with Granddaughters hearing

If they have an ENT consultant at the private hospital then you can self refer.

Yes you can self refer. Or see a private GP who can recommend a consultant and refer her. You might find a GP who specialises in paediatrics.

Yes they would but you could probably look online to see which of their consultants deal with paediatric ENT. I would ask the parents to contact the GP to make sure a referral has been made first ( they can forget) the receptionist should be able to inform them no need to speak to Doctor. Also the Health Visitor is another person you may be able to advise on the best way forward and find out how long the waiting list are in the area. Then it is up to them if you want to wait or go private. Offer to pay / contribute to the consultation if you want.

The key to all this is the parents of the child.

What are they doing to address it?

You are 2 steps removed from the core family circle

I put ‘private hearing test children’ into Google and loads of Private clinics came up.

With a bit of research you can choose one near to you with well qualified staff.?

GGD hearing is not yours to sort, take a step back.

Many thanks for your advice 62Granny.AONK, and Madge . you have given us ideas as to how to move forward.

Espana

Are you the guardian of the child? Do you have custody of her?

If not, it is not your place to do this

If you are concerned by what seems to be the lack of action, call child services

We are aware that her parents must be the ones to make any decision but we are a close family and we are only offering economic help but want to ensure they have the information to make an informed decision.

Dear me. I thought the OP probably just said to family “I know, I’ll ask Gransnet. They always have the answers”?

Problematic bit "Doctor said she would be sent for investigations but months have passed and no action has yet been taken."

Have they asked you to "take action"?

Yes Peasblossom ~ exactly! and some of you have. Many thanks .

Hope you see action soon for your GGC . It may be she has ' glue ear' this is where the eustachian tube becomes blocked so fluid builds up in the ear. A common problem that us rectified with having grommets fitted.
Not sure what happens now but my son had this problem many years ago, grommets sorted him out. Prior to the grommets he had a mild hearing loss, poor speech and was very clumsy!! Had the op. when three years old and then speech therapy. Grommets were replaced fairly often till he was about 10 years old. It was well worth it , a vast improvement happened very quickly. This may not be the problem for your GGC but whatever is happening it needs addressing asap. Good luck.

Espana as you say she has a lot of ear infections she may have "glue ear^ and may need grommets if it doesn't clear up on its own. Losing balance could be another symptom.
In the meantime, if she's not hearing clearly, her speech will inevitably be delayed.

The Eustachian tube in children has a kink in it and therefore it doesn't drain of fluid easily.

I think Spire Hospitals carry out this procedure and I'm sure others do too.
(I can't do a link)

You wouldn't be interfering if the parents are worried about the delay and you just say that, if they wish, you'd be happy to pay for her to go privately. NHS waiting lists are horrendous just ow.

X post with Shelflife

Surely the parents first action is to contact the doctor and find a time frame before chasing down private routes She could have been missed or lost on the list or never put on it you do have to follow up when gps say they will refer as it’s been months I d ring up find out who she has been referred to and what date then ring the hospital consultants secretary and find out what s happening chances are it’s been forgotten or missed

Espana

We are aware that her parents must be the ones to make any decision but we are a close family and we are only offering economic help but want to ensure they have the information to make an informed decision.

[[https://www.spirehealthcare.com/spire-leicester-hospital/treatments/a-z/grommets-insertion-glue-ear-treatment/]

it worked

Espana Offering help as a grandparent is fine if the parents are worried - interfering is quite another.
You would not be interfering or overstepping the mark if you offer and ypthen, if they refuse, you know it's time step back.

I understand that some posters do not have very close family relationships so it could be different in those circumstances, but you say you are close.

www.spirehealthcare.com/spire-leicester-hospital/treatments/a-z/grommets-insertion-glue-ear-treatment

!

BlueBelle

Surely the parents first action is to contact the doctor and find a time frame before chasing down private routes She could have been missed or lost on the list or never put on it you do have to follow up when gps say they will refer as it’s been months I d ring up find out who she has been referred to and what date then ring the hospital consultants secretary and find out what s happening chances are it’s been forgotten or missed

That too - DH never got put on a list for an operation as the Consultant confessed that he forgot and then the Consultant said he'd have to go to the end of the queue!
We had to go privately.

Espana, a child of 21 months may not speak much - or at all, as they're all different. The ear infections and loss of balance are a worry, though. She may just need a check up and antibiotics.

The 'fashion' for grommets, in borderline cases, has passed, thankfully (just like the 'tonsils out' when we were young). It's a shame if they can't go swimming. As children grow, their tiny ear tubes enlarge - and they soon grow out of the problem.

My son and dil had concerns about my grandson’s hearing. Dil was able to get a referral to an audiologist by speaking to their Health Visitor. This was only a couple of years ago. i appreciate all health trusts are different, but it could be worth a try, if the parents haven’t already asked.

It's worth mentioning that it's unlikely that a private hospital would accept a child of that age for surgery, it was certainly the case four years ago when I was helping my son and daughter in law with this.

The best thing is fir the parents to contact the surgery. We had a similar problem with our dd.
This isn’t an emergency, 21 months old is still quite young to start worrying but in the meantime parents can do their own test at home to get an idea.
Try not to worry.

I do think if she is getting constant ear infections she needs to be seen at least by the GP and then referred on.