For professionals — referrals in otology
Also described as: referring a patient, correspondents, general practitioners, vestibular physiotherapists, hearing-aid audiologists, ENT, neurologists.
In brief: this page is for healthcare professionals (general practitioners, ENT surgeons, neurologists, vestibular physiotherapists, hearing-aid audiologists) who wish to refer a patient for an otology opinion: vertigo and balance disorders, hearing, tinnitus, otosclerosis, ear surgery. The practice, at the Clinique Causse (Colombiers, near Béziers), is dedicated exclusively to the ear.
Who is this page for?
It is intended for correspondents who care for patients with otologic or vestibular symptoms and who would like a specialist opinion, a full vestibular assessment, or a discussion about possible ear surgery. The practice does not handle general ENT of the nose and throat, sleep disorders or cosmetic surgery.
Referral indications
An otology opinion may be useful, in particular, for:
- vertigo or unsteadiness to be explored (acute, recurrent or chronic);
- a hearing loss to be characterised, particularly if asymmetric;
- tinnitus, especially unilateral or pulsatile;
- suspected Ménière's disease or hydrops;
- otosclerosis or a conductive hearing loss;
- a request for a second opinion in ear surgery.
Urgent referral
Some situations call for prompt management:
- a sudden hearing loss (sudden sensorineural hearing loss) — to be treated as an emergency;
- acute vertigo with neurological signs (speech, double vision, weakness, gait disturbance);
- facial paralysis;
- febrile ear discharge or a complication of otitis.
In case of an acute neurological sign, refer without delay to the emergency services (112).
Useful documents to send
For an effective opinion, it helps to enclose, if available:
- a recent tonal and speech audiogram;
- previous consultation or operative reports;
- available imaging (CT of the temporal bones, MRI) and its medium;
- the list of treatments and relevant ENT history.
Vestibular assessment available
The vestibular assessment may include, depending on the clinical question: tonal and speech audiometry, VNG (videonystagmography), vHIT (video head impulse test) and VEMP (vestibular evoked myogenic potentials). Tests are chosen according to the question asked, not systematically.
Frequent referral scenarios
- BPPV that is recurrent or atypical — when the usual manoeuvres are not enough or the picture is unusual.
- Ménière / hydrops — for characterisation, audiometric follow-up and discussion of management.
- Chronic dizziness / PPPD — persistent unsteadiness after an acute episode, often with normal tests.
- Sudden hearing loss — to be referred promptly.
- Unilateral or pulsatile tinnitus — for a targeted assessment and, if needed, imaging.
- Otosclerosis / conductive hearing loss — for assessment and a surgery-versus-hearing-aid discussion.
- Second opinion in ear surgery — before a surgical decision.
Contacting the secretariat
To refer a patient or discuss a case, the secretariat can be reached by phone. Patients can also book via Doctolib. Contact details and access to the practice are on the contact / getting to the practice page.
Information intended for correspondents. It does not constitute a medical consultation. No outcome can be guaranteed.