28. Lieut.-Commander Clark Hutchisonasked the Minister of Health whether, in view of the fact that the standard Medresco Hearing Aid supplied under the National Health Service does not suit all deaf persons, he will allow such persons a grant to assist them to purchase alternative equipment more suited to their individual needs.
§ 44 and 71. Mr. Spearmanasked the Minister of Health (1) if he will arrange to provide free batteries to existing holders of commercial deaf hearing aids;
(2) if he will give a grant in aid for the purchase of commercial deaf hearing aids until Medresco sets are available.
§ 81. Brigadier Medlicottasked the Minister of Health if he will make arrangements to provide free batteries to existing holders of commercial deaf hearing aids; and if he will also arrange to make grants to deaf persons to help them to purchase alternative equipment where it can be shown that the standard Medresco Hearing Aid is not suitable for the individual concerned.
Lieut.-Commander HutchisonDoes not the Minister appreciate that the same type of aid does not necessarily suit every person who suffers from deafness, and will he give further consideration to this matter?
§ Mr. BevanFurther investigation is proceeding as to the proportion of deaf people who cannot be properly fitted with the instrument which we are supplying. At the moment, that percentage is unknown, and until further investigation has taken place we think it would be very unwise to extend the facilities.
§ Mr. SpearmanDoes not the Minister think that if free batteries are allowed to holders of Government aids and not to owners of commercial types, it is a direct encouragement to the latter to throw away their aids and unnecessarily require Government aids, thereby increasing the expenditure which will fall upon the taxpayer?
§ Mr. BevanIt would be very difficult administratively to provide the variety of batteries required in the private sets. It is much easier administratively to pro- 1015 vide the standardised batteries which are provided with the Government aid.
§ Mr. BevanYes, in many instances, but as I say, further inquiries are taking place, and I think that Members in all parts of the House would feel that we ought not to extend the area of the facilities now provided until we have digested what we are already providing.
Mrs. BraddockIs my right hon. Friend aware that the aid now being supplied by the Government is giving great satisfaction to all who are using it, and that apart from the suggested very minor adjustment—I hope his Department will make inquiries into it—it is the best and most easily used type of aid which those who need such an aid have ever been able to obtain?
§ Mr. BevanIt is true that the hearing aid is giving every satisfaction. Minor adjustments will, of course, be required from time to time. We are not ending our development here.
§ Mr. MitchisonCan my right hon. Friend say when these excellent hearing aids will be available in Kettering?
§ Mr. BevanI think that my hon. and learned Friend will find that before the end of the month a centre will be opened in his part of the country to which applications can be made.