ENT Frequently Asked Questions

Make appointment

This page answers common questions about seeing an ENT specialist, including referrals, appointment preparation, and costs. Dr Brent McMonagle is an ENT surgeon consulting on the Gold Coast, with patients referred from across Queensland and New South Wales, including children and cochlear implant assessment and surgery.

Appointment & Referrals

Children and Paediatric ENT

When to see and ENT Specialist

Cochlear implant assessment and surgery

  • A current referral is required if you want to claim a Medicare rebate for your consultation. Your GP (or another doctor) can provide a referral.

  • Please bring the following to your initial appointment:

    • Your referral

    • Medicare card (and concession card, if applicable)

    • Private health insurance details (if applicable)

    • Any relevant results, including hearing tests/audiology reports, imaging reports and specialist letters

    • A list of current medications

  • Yes. Payment is required on the day. If you have a valid referral and Medicare card, you may be able to claim a Medicare rebate for part of the consultation fee.

  • Often, yes. If you have a valid referral and Medicare card, you may be able to claim a Medicare rebate for part of the consultation fee. The rebate amount depends on the item number and the type of consultation.

  • Bulk billing policies can vary. Please contact our rooms for the most up to date information about fees, rebates and billing options.

  • Private health insurance does not usually cover outpatient specialist consultation fees.

    Medicare may provide a rebate if you have a valid referral.

    If surgery is recommended, private health insurance may contribute to hospital and theatre costs depending on your level of cover.

    Please contact our rooms if you’d like help understanding likely out of pocket costs.

  • Yes. Dr McMonagle provides ENT care for both children and adults. Your GP can refer your child, and the next steps are discussed after assessment.

  • If surgery is recommended, the safest and most appropriate pathway will be discussed after assessment. Recommendations depend on your child’s symptoms, examination and test results.

  • Please bring your child’s referral, Medicare card, and any relevant results such as hearing tests, imaging reports, or past specialist letters. If your child has had frequent infections or symptoms over time, a brief timeline can be helpful.

  • An ENT specialist assesses conditions affecting the ears, nose and throat, and related head and neck concerns. Common reasons for referral include hearing loss, tinnitus, recurring ear infections, chronic sinus symptoms or nasal blockage, recurrent throat or tonsil problems, and head and neck lumps that require specialist assessment.

  • Consider an ENT assessment if symptoms persist despite general medical care, or if your GP recommends referral.

    Examples include ongoing hearing changes, recurrent ear infections, persistent nasal blockage or sinus symptoms, frequent tonsillitis, or a lump in the neck that needs further assessment.

  • A cochlear implant is a surgically implanted electronic device that can help provide sound perception for people with severe to profound hearing loss who receive limited benefit from hearing aids.

    Suitability is confirmed through hearing tests and specialist assessment.

  • Suitability depends on hearing test results, how much benefit you receive from hearing aids, medical factors and individual circumstances. If cochlear implants may be appropriate, you’ll be guided through a structured assessment and discussion of options.

  • Assessment typically includes a detailed hearing evaluation, review of your medical history, and consideration of imaging or other tests where appropriate. The goal is to confirm candidacy and clarify the most suitable pathway for your circumstances.

  • Cochlear implant assessment and surgery are provided through specialist ENT services in Queensland via public and private pathways. Dr McMonagle consults on the Gold Coast and operates at Pindara Private Hospital and Gold Coast University Hospital (public patients). We see patients referred from across Queensland and New South Wales.

  • Yes. Dr Brent McMonagle performs cochlear implant surgery and provides the specialist ENT care needed before and after surgery.

    Cochlear implants are usually a team-based pathway. Dr McMonagle works with audiologists and your GP (and other specialists when needed) to confirm whether a cochlear implant is appropriate, plan surgery, and support your recovery and ongoing hearing outcomes.

    If you are unsure whether you may be a candidate, the best first step is an appointment to review your hearing tests, medical history, and current hearing aid benefit.

  • The cochlear implant pathway usually follows these steps:

    1. GP referral and first ENT appointment
      A current GP referral is needed to claim a Medicare rebate for your consultation. At your first appointment, we review your symptoms, hearing history, and any previous hearing test results.

    2. Hearing assessment and cochlear implant candidacy testing
      You may need updated hearing tests (often including hearing aid assessment) to confirm how much benefit you are getting from hearing aids and whether a cochlear implant may help.

    3. Medical assessment and imaging (if required)
      If you are a potential candidate, you may need scans and medical checks to confirm your inner ear anatomy and suitability for surgery.

    4. Shared decision-making and planning
      We discuss expected benefits, limitations, and risks, and plan the next steps based on your hearing goals and health.

    5. Cochlear implant surgery
      Surgery is performed in hospital. Your team will provide instructions for preparation, recovery, and follow-up.

    6. Healing period
      There is typically a short healing period before the device is switched on.

    7. Activation and programming (“mapping”)
      The external processor is fitted and activated by an audiologist, then adjusted over several appointments to optimise hearing.

    8. Rehabilitation and ongoing follow-up
      Hearing improves over time with ongoing programming and listening practice. Follow-up support helps you get the best performance from your implant long-term.

      It’s helpful to bring any recent hearing test results, a list of hearing aids you have tried, and relevant scans or medical letters to your first appointment.