§ 2.56 p.m.
§ [The question was as follows:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government, in view of demobilization, what progress 648 has been made by the Government in their negotiations with the hearing aid manufacturers to produce national standardized hearing aids; and whether the same will be sold at a price within the means of deafened ex-Servicemen, or whether a grant will be allowed towards the price of the aid.]
§ LORD TEMPLEMOREMy Lords, the Medical Research Council have appointed a Committee to investigate the electro-acoustic problems connected with the manufacture of hearing aids. It is hoped that this Committee will be able to recommend specifications for standard models which can be sold at a reasonable price. The Committee have already held several meetings and a number of physicists have been appointed to collaborate with otologists and physiologists in experimental work on their behalf. Such discussions as have taken place between Government Departments and the hearing aid manufacturers have been very informal. I understand that the Association of Hearing Aid Manufacturers have prepared a tentative specification for a standard hearing aid and have submitted some information about it to the Committee. It is too early yet to give any indication of the price at which any standard hearing aids will be sold, but hearing aids are supplied free of charge to ex-Servicemen suffering from deafness due to war service.
THE DUKE OFMONTROSE: May I ask whether, in view of the slow progress made in producing a British hearing aid, the Government are taking any notice of what the Americans are doing in producing a standard hearing aid? I believe that they have one costing 40 dollars, of which they have manufactured about 100,000.
§ LORD TEMPLEMOREMy Lords, the suggestion of my noble friend will be conveyed to the proper quarter.