§ 10. Dr. Strossasked the Minister of Health whether he can give an estimate of the percentage of bone conduction hearing aids required by the population as compared with air conduction models; and how large the waiting list is for the former type.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodThe proportion is estimated at less than 5 per cent. Separate waiting lists for bone conduction aids are 1175 not at present available, but about 7,000 patients in England and Wales have been provided with them in the 12 months since they became available, and supplies are ample for the demand so far revealed.
§ Dr. StrossDoes that mean that the Minister thinks that within a year or two there will be no real waiting list for these cases?
§ Mr. MacleodIt will be much less than that. It will be within a month or two.
§ 11. Dr. Strossasked the Minister of Health how many of the Mark III hearing aids have been supplied up to the nearest available date; what is the cost of these aids to his Department; and what are the specific advantages of this type as compared with earlier types.
§ Mr. Iain MacleodBy 28th November, 1953, 29,526 Mark III aids had been issued to users in England and Wales. This model has a higher power output and uses smaller batteries than earlier models, but the cost is expected to be about the same.
§ Dr. StrossWould it be inappropriate for the Minister to convey the thanks of all of us to the technicians of the Medical Research Council and the officers of the G.P.O. who have done a piece of remarkably fine work?
§ Mr. MacleodI fully endorse that. A splendid job has been done.
§ Mr. GibsonCan the Minister say whether there will be any reduction in the length of time which people have to wait before they obtain these hearing aids, especially old people from whom we have had a number of complaints?
§ Mr. MacleodThere has been an enormous reduction, indeed a dramatic reduction in the waiting time. If the hon. Member would like details perhaps he would put down a Question.