Hearing Aid Services (Hansard, 13 March 1989)

HL Deb 13 March 1989 vol 505 cc1-3 1

§ Lord Molloy asked Her Majesty's Government:

§ Whether following discussions with the Royal National Institute for the Deaf, they will initiate a review of hearing aid services.

§ Lord Henley
My Lords, we have been giving detailed consideration to the suggestions for changes to the arrangements for the provision of hearing aids which have recently been made by the Royal National Institute for the Deaf. A wide range of views has been expressed on the proposals, and we are now considering the best way forward.

§ Lord Molloy
My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for that reply. I paid my compliments to him last week on his having the courage to take on his present job. Is he aware that the RNID is very much concerned at the length of time that it takes to obtain a hearing aid? Is he also aware that it is a complicated procedure and that most people involved are the older members of our community who go to their doctor because they are hard of hearing? The doctor then arranges an appointment at the local hospital's ENT department where patients are examined, and a further appointment is made for them to go to the HAC. Is he further aware that that process can take up to 16 weeks, and in some instances has taken up to two years? Is there some way in which that time can bereduced?

§ Lord Henley
My Lords, we are concerned about the long waiting times for hearing aids in some districts. In that context suggestions for change which have been made by the RNID are welcome. 2 We have been keeping in close touch with the RNID and there has been full discussion with its representatives and others with a close interest in the subject. The Government are giving full and careful consideration to the points raised by the Fair Hearing Campaign.

§ Lord Molloy
My Lords, would the Minister be prepared to ask his right honourable friend to consider whether it might be possible for the very good hearing aids which at present can be obtained only in the private sector to be made available on the NHS?

§ Lord Henley
My Lords, I shall certainly pass on that request to my right honourable friend. I believe that internal hearing aids can be made available on the National Health Service if the consultant thinks it necessary.

§ Lord Allen of Abbeydale
My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that in addition to delay many elderly people also have problems getting to remote and inaccessible hospitals? Can more be done in the way of providing local hearing aid centres, with a reference to hospital made only when that proves necessary?

§ Lord Henley
My Lords, that will certainly be taken into consideration when Her Majesty's Government consider which way to go forward with regard to improving the provision of hearing aids.

§ Lord Underhill
My Lords, I too should like to congratulate the Minister. Does he realise that there is also a question of replacement of hearing aid equipment, often at very difficult times and at weekends which, as I know from my own family's experience, can be a problem? Does he recognise that that problem ought also to be considered in the review?

§ Lord Henley
My Lords, that is certainly a matter which needs to be considered. I gather that hearing aids provided by the National Health Service are on loan, but obviously that does not solve the problem of getting a new hearing aid at a difficult time. I 3 shall certainly draw the noble Lord's comments to the attention of my right honourable friend and they will be taken into consideration.